Tag Archives: Louisiana

Apartment Building, Residential

New Orleans, LA – Sprinkler system contains arson fire at apartment building

New Orleans police are searching for a middle-aged man suspected of setting fire to an apartment in the Iberville neighborhood late Saturday, resulting in one injury.

According to the New Orleans Fire Department, firefighters responded to a 911 call at 11:43 p.m. about a fire at 1570 Conti Street. Nineteen firefighters arrived in seven units and found light smoke and minor fire damage throughout the apartment. The building’s sprinkler system had mostly contained the flames by the time firefighters arrived, and the fire was under control by 11:55 p.m., the NOFD said.

A man was taken to University Medical Center to be treated for minor smoke inhalation. The injured man told authorities that a friend, also middle-aged, set the apartment on fire after an argument. New Orleans police have identified the suspect, who is wanted on an aggravated arson charge, and are actively searching for him.

Other - Retail, Retail

Baton Rouge, LA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Dollar Tree store

A snack aisle at a Dollar Tree caught fire Sunday evening, destroying a shelf and damaging part of the building’s ceiling. 

The Central Fire Department posted pictures of the fire’s aftermath Sunday. Officials said the operational sprinkler system inside the store prevented the fire from spreading, and the scene was under control shortly after the firefighters’ arrival.

There was no immediate known cause of the fire, but the CFD encouraged anyone with information about the fire to contact the Baton Rouge Fire Department.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Baton Rouge, LA – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at Walmart; No injuries reported

The Walmart on Burbank Drive will be closed “indefinitely” after someone intentionally set a fire inside, the St. George Fire Department said Monday.

Just before 8 p.m. Sunday, the department was called to the store and found it had been evacuated. They were told the fire broke out in the middle of the building and “many sprinkler heads had been activated.”

Crews were able to find the fire and put it out within minutes, the department said. No one was injured.

The fire, smoke and sprinklers caused enough damage to close the store indefinitely, the department said.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

New Orleans, LA – Sprinkler system activated for roof fire at brewery; No injuries reported

A two-alarm fire damaged the roof of the Faubourg Brewing Co. late Friday night (March 24), the New Orleans Fire Department said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but brewery personnel told the NOFD that contractors had been on site earlier Friday performing roofing repairs.

“There were no injuries reported and an investigation will be conducted to determine whether the roofing work was the actual cause of the fire,” the NOFD said in a news release.

The fire was reported at 10:26 p.m. Firefighters arrived at 10:39 p.m. and sounded a second alarm for more personnel at 10:48 p.m. Twelve NOFD units carrying 38 firefighters responded to battle the fire.

The NOFD said all night shift employees of the brewery had been evacuated from the building. According to a shift manager, shortly after a fire alarm went off, employees noticed smoke permeating from the ceiling. The heat generated by the roof fire set off the building’s sprinkler alarm system.

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson is the principal owner of the brewing company. She and late husband Tom Benson bought the majority stake in the former Dixie Brewing in 2017 and brought the brand back from out of state, after it had relocated following Hurricane Katrina. The new brewery opened in New Orleans East and started production in late 2019.

The enterprise was renamed the Faubourg Brewing Co. in 2020 and produces six flagship beers. It was not immediately clear whether production will be impacted by Friday night’s fire.

Other Business, Place of Worship

Shreveport, LA – Sprinkler system extinguishes arson fire at church

A Shreveport church is speaking out after it was discovered Friday morning that an individual broke in and attempted to set the building on fire.

“I pray for the individual, if he is able to see this, that you would come to know the Love of Jesus,” Pastor James McMenis at Word of God Ministries said.

About 4:30 a.m., a security camera at Word of God Ministries showed footage of a masked male hitting a door of the church with a bat and gaining entrance into the building. Cameras followed the suspect, who proceeded to douse the children’s area with gasoline.

The masked man then lit a fire. The sprinkler system extinguished the fire within a minute.

Shreveport firefighters and police were on the scene within minutes of the incident.

A Word of God Ministries spokesperson said that services will go ahead as scheduled Sunday.

This incident is under investigation.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Baton Rouge, LA – Sprinkler system extinguishes chemical reaction fire

A building along North Boulevard was saved by its sprinkler system Tuesday afternoon when cleaning supplies had a chemical reaction and started a fire. 

According to the Baton Rouge Fire Department, the A1 Professional Services building along North Boulevard was saved by the sprinklers that completely extinguished the fire. 

When firefighters arrived, several floor mats, mop heads and other products were smoldering. 

Fire officials said the fire was contained to products inside the building. 

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Harahan, LA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Walmart; No injuries reported

A Walmart in Harahan is closed to the public today after a fire broke out there Monday (May 30) night, and it was caught on camera.

In this video, you can see the fire blazing in a section of the store, located in the 5100 block of Jefferson Highway.

Firefighters got the call around 9:44 p.m.

Responders say that when they arrived, the sprinkler system was already activated.

“Currently, as of the cause, it’s under investigation by Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office, and our fire investigators,” said Chief Travis.

Officials also say a second fire happened this morning as a result of that first one, and electrical issues are to blame.

No one was hurt in either fire.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Scott, LA – Fire from bin of linens at laundry facility kept in check thanks to fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

The Scott Fire Department responded to a on fire Thursday, July 23, at Westport Linen Services in Lafayette Parish.

Firefighters say they responded around 11:01 pm to the facility located at 103 North Ambassador Caffery Parkway and observed smoke coming from the building.

After entering, the fire was located in an area of the facility where linens are dried. The fire was quickly brought under control, they say.

An investigation determined that the fire started when laundered linens placed into a large bin generated enough heat to ignite the contents of the bin. The fire quickly spread to two nearby bins and activated the sprinkler system.

SFD says that the building sustained a small amount of heat and smoke damage as a result of the fire.

Both Westport Linen Services and the nearby Epic Entertainment facility sustained moderate water damage due to sprinkler activation.

The Scott Fire Department responded to a on fire Thursday, July 23, at Westport Linen Services in Lafayette Parish.

Firefighters say they responded around 11:01 pm to the facility located at 103 North Ambassador Caffery Parkway and observed smoke coming from the building.

After entering, the fire was located in an area of the facility where linens are dried. The fire was quickly brought under control, they say.

An investigation determined that the fire started when laundered linens placed into a large bin generated enough heat to ignite the contents of the bin. The fire quickly spread to two nearby bins and activated the sprinkler system.

SFD says that the building sustained a small amount of heat and smoke damage as a result of the fire.

Both Westport Linen Services and the nearby Epic Entertainment facility sustained moderate water damage due to sprinkler activation.

No one was injured in the incident which was determined to be accidental in nature.

Firefighters from Carencro, Duson, and Lafayette responded to assist.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Harvey, LA – Hotel kitchen fire contained by fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

A fire caused damage to a hotel room in Harvey Sunday.

The Harvey Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched to an alarm around 7:47 p.m. at the InTown Suites Extended Stay, located at 1101 Manhattan Boulevard.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a fire in the kitchen of a second floor room of the three-story hotel, fire officials said.

A sprinkler system in the room activated, which contained the fire until it was extinguished.

Fire officials reported water damage to a first floor laundry room below the fire.

No injuries were reported. The business remains open.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

New Orleans, LA – Sprinkler system helps extinguish fire inside community center; No injuries reported

The New Orleans Fire Department is investigating a 2-alarm fire in Central City. Firefighters say they got a call around 4:21 a.m. Thursday about a fire at an abandoned building on S. Liberty & First Streets.

The fire did spread to a community center nearby. One person was inside and was able to escape. The rear of the building burned and the fire also spread to the attic. Firefighters say the sprinklers inside the community center helped extinguish the flames.

The fire was under control by 4:51 a.m. NOFD is investigating witness accounts that someone nearby started a fire to stay warm. No one was hurt during the blaze.