Tag Archives: Idaho

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Burley, ID – Arson fire at elementary school extinguished by sprinkler system

A student is suspected of lighting a roll of toilet paper and some paper towels on fire Friday damaging a bathroom and temporarily evacuating White Pine Intermediate School. “The fire was extinguished by the sprinkler system,” Debbie Critchfield, spokeswoman for the district said.  An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the Burley Fire Department and the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office.  The fire was started around 9 a.m. in the fourth-grade wing in the boys’ bathroom.  “They have a suspect,” Critchfield said.  The fire department was called to the school and the firefighters made sure the blaze was extinguished.

The firefighters then reset the sprinkler system, which meant the fire system was down for about an hour at the school. Students were returned to their classrooms, except for the two classes that were affected by the cleanup, Principal Matt Seely said in a text message to parents Friday. Those students were supervised by their teachers in the gym.  There is fire damage in the restroom and water damage in the hallway and in a classroom directly across the hall from the bathroom.  When the water is dried, maintenance will determine what repairs need to be made, Critchfield said.

Department Store, Retail

Idaho Falls, ID – Arson fire at retail center extinguished with help from sprinkler system

A suspect has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection to a fire that occurred behind Brady’s at 1445 E. Lincoln Road around 3:45 p.m. on Monday in Idaho Falls.  Jason Schlegel was arrested Monday evening in the 400 block of Lomax Street. The Idaho Falls Police Department had earlier sought the public’s assistance in locating Schlegel.

The Idaho Falls Police Department and the Idaho Falls Fire Department believe the fire that destroyed two trucks near Brady’s was due to arson.  The interior of Brady’s on Lincoln Road did not sustain any damage during the large fire near the building, according to Idaho Falls Fire Department Chief Dave Hanneman.

Two trucks were reported on fire around 3:45 p.m. and firefighters cut into the roof of an exterior carport adjacent to the building. The fire appeared to be under control around 4:20 p.m.  The sprinkler system in the carport helped extinguish the blaze, authorities said. Damage was estimated at $120,000.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Boise, ID – Late night laundry fire at hotel contained with help from sprinkler system

The fire, apparently sparked in oil-soaked towels, was extinguished in about five minutes, the Boise Fire Department reported on Twitter. One employee was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, KBOI-TV, Channel 2 reports.  The fire was called in 8:50 p.m. at the hotel, 2900 Chinden Blvd., and was confined to a laundry area that is separate from the hotel building, the fire department reports. A fire sprinkler helped control the spread of the fire, according the BFD.

Residential, Single Family Home

Idaho Falls, ID – Home fire sprinkler system assists firefighters in extinguishing fire at residence

A fire at an Idaho Falls home on Wednesday is estimated to have caused $30,000 in damages. The blaze was reported at approximately 11:17 a.m. Firefighters with the Idaho Falls Fire Department responded to the residence at 3612 Summit Run Trail, where they found smoke coming from the basement.  The fire was eventually extinguished and salvage and overhaul activities were then completed. There were no injuries reported. The residents were able to exit the home after being alerted of the fire by smoke detectors.  The fire was also held in check by an in-home fire sprinkler system.

Athletic Club/Sports Facility, College/University (on campus)

Lewiston, ID – Laundry fire at on-campus college activity center put out by single sprinkler

A fire at Lewis-Clark State College late last night caused an estimated $25,000 in damage. According to a press release, Lewiston Fire crews were dispatched to a reported water flow alarm at the Activity Center at 11:40 p.m.  Once on scene, crews were advised by LCSC security personnel that an alarm was sounding in the activity center. Initial crews began a search and found smoke in the basement.

“The basement had several areas near the locker room with water on the floor. After searching several rooms, it was discovered that there had been a fire in a dryer in the laundry room, and the sprinkler system had a single head that had activated and extinguished the fire,” the press release states.

Fire crews remained on scene for another hour to assist with getting the sprinkler system shut down, evacuating the smoke, and to confirm there was no extension of the fire. The cause of the fire appears to be a malfunction with the commercial dryer in the laundry room. The department responded with three structural engines, one ambulance, one truck, one service unit, and one chief officer, totaling 13 personnel. There were no citizen or firefighter injuries to report.

Office Building, Other Business

Boise, ID – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire in downtown commercial building

Boise Fire says a small fire that broke out at the Charles Schwab building has been ruled accidental. Firefighters were called to the building, near 9th and Main Streets, just after 6:30 p.m. last Sunday.

While they found smoke inside, crews say the building’s sprinkler system activated and extinguished the fire. A Boise Fire spokeswoman says there was moderate damage to the building.

On Monday, Boise Fire says an employee from the building had taken laundry home to wash. After it was clean, he placed the warm laundry in a crate and brought it back to the business. The heat, mixed with cooking oil remnants, sparked the fire, Boise Fire says.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Jerome, ID – Fire officials credit sprinkler system after early morning fire at market

Jerome fire officials are crediting a store’s fire suppression system for preventing what could have been a major disaster Sunday.

According to the City of Jerome fire crews were called to Ridley’s Family Market at around 6 a.m. to a report of a fire. Jerome Police arrived and found smoke and fire in a back room not open to the public. The store was quickly evacuated before fire crews arrived on scene. The fire spread quickly with help from combustible material inside the store. But, within several minutes the sprinkler system kicked in and halted the spread of the blaze.

Once fire crews arrived they searched for any hidden fires and didn’t find any. Investigators believe the fire was accidental. Officials say that the business was able to open several hours after the fire thanks to the sprinkler systems. The City of Jerome says this is the second building saved by a sprinkler system in the last 18 months.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Fire at construction business controlled with help from sprinkler system (Twin Falls, ID)

Tom Hughes the Jerome Fire Chief said, “At approximately 6:25 this morning, we were dispatched to this location, 901 South Lincoln Avenue in Jerome, for reported smoke in the building. Upon arrival of our first fire crew, we found a heavy smoke condition, and the fire sprinkler system had been activated. Our crews made entry to find the seed of the fire and make sure it was out.”Tom Hughes the Jerome Fire Chief said, “At approximately 6:25 this morning, we were dispatched to this location, 901 South Lincoln Avenue in Jerome, for reported smoke in the building. Upon arrival of our first fire crew, we found a heavy smoke condition, and the fire sprinkler system had been activated. Our crews made entry to find the seed of the fire and make sure it was out.”

Storage / Warehouse

Sprinklers keep warehouse fire from spreading (Boise, ID)

On Thursday at about 2 a.m. a fire broke out in a warehouse used for commercial laundry services. Fire crews responded to the scene to find smoke coming from the building. The fire sprinkler system within the building activated on the flames and kept them from spreading, allowing firefighters to quickly extinguish the remaining fire. 

Boise Fire Marshal Romeo Gervais said, “Fire sprinkler systems can react quickly and dramatically reduce the heat, flames, and smoke produced in a fire. That’s what happened this morning, protecting much of the structure and possibly preventing additional injuries.”

The fire’s cause is under investigation.