Tag Archives: Iowa

Apartment Building, Residential

North Liberty, IA – Sprinkler system activated for overnight fire at apartment complex

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Emergency responders took two people to University of Iowa Health Care after a fire started in their apartment.

The city of North Liberty says firefighters responded to the fire at 1010 Rachel Street just before 4:30 a.m. Monday. Police who arrived on the scene first warned smoke was coming from the second floor of the building and a sprinkler system was working.

Firefighters broke their way in to find smoke in the living room, but the fire mostly out from the sprinklers.

Crews found two children in a bedroom and a dog inside the apartment and got them out.

There’s no word on the extent of injuries for those taken to the hospital.

Investigators are trying to determine how it started, and how much damage the fire caused.

The North Liberty Police Department, Coralville Fire Department, Johnson County Ambulance Service and Johnson County Emergency Communications Center all helped on the call.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Marion, IA – Sprinkler system contains fire at indoor kids play center; No injuries reported

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The Marion Fire Department said a fire they responded to Wednesday morning is a good reminder of how fire alarm systems and sprinklers can save lives.

Crews were called to the 850 Twixt Town Road just after 10 a.m. for a commercial fire/water flow alarm and found moderate smoke and a fire in the kitchen.

However, the sprinkler system was able to keep the fire contained where it started and firefighters had the fire put out within minutes.

The building did suffer minor smoke and water damage, but the losses were limited and no one was injured.

Marion fire says it was an accident caused by materials that were inappropriately stored on a countertop stove.

The building used to be a Perfect Game facility. It now houses an indoor play place for kids called The Shell – Little Sports Torts Indoor Play Space.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Des Moines, IA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at high-rise building

The Des Moines Fire Department says a sprinkler was key to containing a fire in a high-rise building.

The DMFD released photos of the damage on its Facebook page. The department says the sprinkler system helped contain the fire until firefighters arrived and the fire was limited to one unit.

The fire department did not say where the fire happened or if there were any injuries.

Other - Residential, Residential

Coralville, IA – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at multi-family residence

A fire broke out at a multi-family residence on Russell Slade Blvd. in Coralville late Monday afternoon, but thanks to a sprinkler system, the blaze was quickly brought under control.

The Coralville Fire Department responded to the scene at approximately 5:15 p.m., discovering that the fire had started in the kitchen of one of the apartments.

The sprinkler system activated immediately, containing and extinguishing the fire before it could spread to other parts of the building. As a result, the apartment suffered only minor smoke and water damage.

Sprinkler systems are designed to automatically respond to fires, either controlling or extinguishing them before they have a chance to grow. They reduces fire damage and give people extra time to evacuate safely.

The Coralville Fire Department say a well-maintained sprinkler system can be the difference between a minor incident and a catastrophic event.

Other - Residential, Residential

Marshalltown, IA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at veterans home; No injuries reported

The Marshalltown Fire Department was called to battle a small blaze on the fourth floor of the Dack Building on the Iowa Veterans Home campus Tuesday morning, but thankfully, no injuries were reported.

At 4:41 a.m., the MFD was dispatched to IVH for a fire alarm with smoke observed and sprinkler activation reported, according to a press release. Crews arrived to find light smoke and an active sprinkler in a room on the fourth floor of the Dack building.

One resident had been removed from the room prior to the fire department’s arrival. Residents were also evacuated from the wing and several rooms on the floor below.

Fire personnel, assisted by IVH staff, were able to control the sprinkler and did a brief overhaul of the room. It was found that a small fire involving an overheated electronic device as well as a basket, papers, and a window shade had set the sprinkler off and caused a moderate amount of smoke to spread throughout the wing.

Damage from the fire was contained to the room of origin however water from the sprinkler system contributed to damage on several floors. No injuries were reported. Fire personnel were on scene for approximately two hours and were assisted by the Marshalltown Police Department and IVH staff.

Mayor Joel Greer and Commandant Todd Jacobus were both highly complimentary of the fire department’s response to the situation, with Jacobus opining that the MFD “has a great team.” Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact the MFD at 641-754-5751.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Harlan, IA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at lodge; No injuries reported

Harlan Fire Chief Roger Bissen tells KSOM/KS95 News firefighters responded to a fire in a room at the Cyclone Lodge at 2004 23rd Street on Saturday afternoon.

The call went out at 12:50 p.m. Chief Bissen says upon arrival, smoke could be seen coming from the room door. Mutual aid was requested from the Westphalia and Avoca Fire Departments.  When firemen made entry, they found contents left near the furnace, which caught fire and ignited the curtains. The lodge was evacuated.

Chief Bissen says the room sustained smoke and water damage from the sprinkler system, and the ground floor had some smoke damage.

No one was injured in the fire.

Apartment Building, Residential

Muscatine, IA – Sprinkler system activated for third-floor apartment fire; No injuries reported

The Muscatine Fire Department responded to an apartment fire Tuesday morning. No injuries were reported, but the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army of Muscatine County, Iowa are assisting with relocation efforts.

Tuesday at approximately 9:38 a.m. the Muscatine Joint Communications Center (MUSCOM) received an automatic alarm for a sprinkler system that was set off at the Harrison Lofts apartments, 1716 Bandag Drive, according to a media release from the fire department. Crews said they found a fire in the kitchen area of a third-floor apartment that they were able to quickly put out. Three dogs were rescued and residents were evacuated as a precaution during the investigation.

Crews say the cause of the fire was determined to be accidental and direct fire damage is estimated to be about $5,000 and water damage is estimated to be an additional $20,000.

While crews were on their way to the scene, MUSCOM advised that someone on scene had called to report smoke in the hallway of the third floor, so the response was upgraded to a structure fire response at that time.

Crews said upon arrival the source of the fire was found to be in a third-floor apartment, but maintenance staff had put the fire out with fire extinguishers.

Crews then said they began to evacuate the third-floor, checking to make sure the fire was all the way out, and then beginning to mitigate water from the sprinklers that went off.

The fire was contained to the area above the stove and the cabinets above the stove, crews said. Smoke damage was limited to the kitchen area with some light smoke in the rest of the apartment. The sprinklers were successful in keeping the fire from spreading.

The Muscatine Police Department and the Animal Control Officer responded to help with evacuation and ensure the safety of the pets from the apartment. The Muscatine Fire Department had 15 staff members who responded to the scene.

The Muscatine County Emergency Manger responded as well to assist with relocation efforts along with the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army of Muscatine County, Iowa.

Food Processing, Manufacturing

Mason City, IA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Ag Processing plant; No injuries reported

Mason City firefighters responded to a call of an equipment fire at Ag Processing, located at 1605 19th Street SW just before 3 a.m. Wednesday.

According to a press release, one ladder truck, two ambulances and three command units with total of 14 firefighters/medics responded to the scene.

Upon their arrival, fire department personnel found the fire sprinkler system was activated in the building where the process equipment was located. The fire sprinkler system assisted with containing the fire until the fire department gained access to the interior of the equipment and extinguished the fire, the release said.

The majority of the units cleared the scene by 5:58 a.m., with the exception of one engine company remained on scene most of the day to assist plant staff with overhaul.

MCFD personnel were also assisted on scene by Cerro Gordo Emergency Management. No injuries were reported The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Apartment Building, Residential

Marion, IA – Sprinkler system contains kitchen fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

A sprinkler system contained a kitchen fire at the Marion apartment complex on Friday night.

The small fire happened in a third-floor apartment at Hilltop Manor on Lindale Drive.

The Marion Fire and Police Departments evacuated all residents from the apartment complex while they extinguished the fire.

Firefighters said the sprinkler system contained the fire to the kitchen and limited the fire and smoke damage to the room and the apartment building.

No one was hurt, and firefighters believe the fire was an accident.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Clear Lake, IA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at hotel

A Clear Lake hotel was evacuated Saturday after a trash can fire caused smoke to fill the second floor and fire alarms to sound.

According to the Clear Lake Police Department, At approximately 12:19 PM on Saturday, the Clear Lake Police Department received an automatic fire alarm call at Fairfield Inn Hotel at 1401 Bayou Road in Clear Lake.

CLPD said moments later, employees reported a fire in a trash container on a housekeeping custodial cart in the hallway of the 2nd floor at the hotel.

As the alarms were sounding, staff at the Fairfield Inn began evacuating the hotel. When Clear Lake Fire Department arrived, firefighters searched the 2nd floor, and encountered the smoke-filled hallway. CLFD personnel found a trash container on the custodial cart used by the hotel housekeeping staff had burned out.  The cart was located directly under the hotel sprinkler system. The fire activated the sprinkler head helping to put the fire out prior to CLFD’s arrival.

According to CLFD Captain Tom Hartwig, Jr. the sprinkler system did its job, quickly stopping the spread of the fire.

Crews worked to check for fire extension in the ceiling and clear the 2nd floor of smoke. Once cleared, the hotel staff and guests were allowed to return inside.

CLFD responded with one ladder company, two engine companies along with two ambulances and one command truck for a total of 14 CLFD personnel. The CLFD was assisted on scene by the Clear Lake Police Department. The fire remains under investigation. Damage was contained to the 2nd floor with smoke and water damage from the sprinkler activation.  Estimated damages are $5000.

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