Tag Archives: Maryland

Fire / Police Station, Government/Military

Potomac Heights, MD – Sprinkler system activated for kitchen fire at Fire Department; No injuries reported

A fire sprinkler system at the Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad contained a kitchen fire on June 15, minimizing damage and preventing injuries during a busy night of storm-related emergency calls. The incident occurred as firefighters returned from flood response missions, highlighting the critical role of fire protection systems in safeguarding lives and property.

On Sunday, severe storms swept through Charles County, prompting multiple emergency calls for the Potomac Heights crew. While managing incidents, including a water rescue of victims trapped in a submerged vehicle, firefighters attempted to prepare dinner at the station. Before completing their meal, they were dispatched to another flood-related emergency. Upon returning, they heard alarms and observed smoke in the kitchen, where the station’s sprinkler system had activated, confining the fire to the cabinets and immediate area.

The rapid response of the sprinkler system limited damage to the kitchen, ensuring no injuries occurred. The Potomac Heights station, built in 1975 and renovated in the 1990s to meet updated life safety codes, is equipped with smoke alarms and an automatic fire sprinkler system. This incident underscores the importance of such systems in protecting even fire stations, which serve as critical community hubs.

Fire Chief Michael Gimmel praised the sprinkler system’s performance. “Our members constantly put damages in harm’s way to serve the community. I’m incredibly thankful that our safety systems worked flawlessly to keep them safe at home,” Gimmel said. The station’s infrastructure, designed to prioritize safety, proved its value in containing the fire before it could spread.

The department expressed gratitude to mutual aid partners who assisted at the scene and to Charles County fire chiefs and members who offered support. “The type of incident response and support received reflect the strong, family-oriented culture of the Volunteer Fire Service here in Charles County,” the department stated.

The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of emergencies, even within a fire station. Potomac Heights volunteers were stretched thin by storm-related calls, including life-threatening flood rescues, yet the station’s safety systems ensured their home base remained operational. The limited damage allowed the department to continue serving the community without significant disruption.

Charles County’s storm season, often marked by heavy rain and flooding, places high demands on volunteer fire departments. The Potomac Heights station’s ability to withstand this incident demonstrates the importance of modern safety upgrades, such as those implemented during its 1990s renovation. The department encourages residents to install and maintain smoke alarms and consider sprinkler systems to enhance home safety.

Auto Dealership, Retail

Rockville, MD – Sprinkler system activated for vehicle fire at car dealership; No injuries reported

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded on Wednesday around 8:15 a.m. to a vehicle fire at DARCARS on 755 Rockville Pike in Rockville.

According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire broke out in the maintenance bay area but was quickly contained by the building’s sprinkler system. Multiple units responded, and no injuries were reported.

We will provide an update if additional verified information becomes available.

Residential, Townhouse / Condominium

Chesapeake Beach, MD – Sprinkler system activated for kitchen fire at townhouse; No injuries reported

A fire suppression system is being credited with halting a kitchen fire before it could spread through a Chesapeake Beach townhouse Sunday afternoon, May 18, 2025.

Crews responded to the scene following a report of smoke coming from a residence in the 2600 block of Deerfield Lane. Units from multiple jurisdictions, including North Beach, Dunkirk, Huntingtown, Prince Frederick, and Anne Arundel County, responded to the scene.

Units first to arrive reported visible smoke from a two-story townhouse.

Firefighters quickly located a kitchen fire that had already been contained by a single sprinkler head from the home’s automatic fire suppression system. Crews confirmed the fire was extinguished, shut off the sprinkler system, and ventilated the residual smoke.

Officials said the fire damage was limited to the kitchen. No injuries were reported, and the occupants were not home at the time of the fire.

Apartment Building, Residential

North Bethesda, MD – Sprinkler system activated for fire on fifth floor apartment unit; No injuries reported

Several families are likely to be displaced after a Tuesday morning fire at Arrowwood Apartments in North Bethesda, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) spokesperson Pete Piringer.

According to radio transmissions, a report of a fire on the fifth floor of an apartment building at 5410 McGrath Blvd. came in at roughly 10:02 a.m. The fire activated sprinklers and fire alarms and residents of the building were evacuated.

Responding MCFRS crews reported there was light smoke throughout the fifth floor at roughly 10:15 a.m. but the fire had been extinguished by sprinklers. According to transmissions, a small pile of combustibles caught fire.

According to Piringer, the fire was controlled and extinguished by the sprinkler system by roughly 10:40 a.m.

Piringer said there were no injuries, but there was some water damage in the building.

Auto Dealership, Retail

Silver Spring, MD – Sprinkler system activated for fire at car dealership; No injuries reported

A fire broke out at the DARCARS Toyota and Lexus Dealership in Silver Spring on Nov. 12, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) Chief Public Information Officer Pete Piringer.

MCFRS firefighters responded to a call around 4 a.m. about a fire on the 12000 block on Cherry Hill Road near Prosperity Drive. Firefighters located the fire on the DARCARS service department’s second floor, according to Piringer’s X post.

Piringer said the automatic fire alarm and sprinkler system were activated and no injuries were reported.

A computer electronic component mounted on the wall in the service bay is the probable cause of the electric fire, according to Piringer.

The damages were estimated at $20,000.

Apartment Building, Residential

Forest Hill, MD – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at apartment complex

Yesterday morning, volunteer firefighters from the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company and additional support from surrounding companies responded to a reported apartment fire in the Forest Hill, Maryland neighborhood. According to a post shared by Harford Co., MD Fire & EMS on social media, the fire occurred in the 2000 block of Rock Spring Road. Thankfully, the fire was controlled and extinguished promptly due to the building’s fire sprinkler system.

This is the second fire of the day successfully controlled by sprinklers in the area. The Harford Co., MD Fire & EMS X account stated, “Fire sprinklers knocked down the fire,” emphasizing their importance in preventing damage and saving lives.

Details about the damage or injuries from the fire haven’t been released, but volunteer firefighters responded quickly, and the situation was under control. As more information becomes available, fire officials may share more about the cause of the fire and how well the response worked.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Salisbury, MD – Sprinkler system activated for accidental fire at middle school

Salisbury Fire officials were called to Wicomico Middle School early Saturday morning for an automatic fire alarm. Officials say there was a smoke alarm that was activated and a sprinkler system which activated as well.

State Fire Marshal investigation found the fire was accidental and began in a janitorial closet after the spontaneous combustion of rags used for cleaning.

Damage was estimated at about $2000.

Storage / Warehouse, Warehouse

Worton, MD – Sprinkler system activated for fire at warehouse; No injuries reported

It took three hours to investigate, then clear smoke and related combustion elements from a one story commercial warehouse at Crea Fill Fibers Corporation, 10200 Worton Road on July 4.

According to initial reports the fire was due to a malfunction within the shredder, that activated the fire alarm initiating a fire department response. The sprinkler system was activated and controlled within the warehouse until the fire department arrived.

However, because the company was closed for the holiday, the cause of the incident was deemed suspicious, causing a representative from the fire marshal’s office to arrive.

It’s still under investigation according to the fire marshal’s report.

Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company Deputy Chief 6 Brad Rossum was first to arrive at 10:16 p.m. He noticed smoke and water from one of the processing buildings. He then called for mutual aid companies to investigate the scene.

Using a special key they only use for emergency situations, (recorded to prevent any mishandling) they opened the door and discovered it was so smoky there was zero visibility. Officials discovered that the water was coming from the sprinkler system, which was a series of sprinkler heads.

Using a thermal imaging camera, officials discovered no fire within the smoke at the industrial shredder.

The sprinkler system did its job, preventing $60,000 of damage.

The challenge for officials was removing the smoke, carbon monoxide and other elements from a tall building. They employed high-velocity fans while wearing their Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses, and it took them three hours to compete the job.

A representative from the Maryland Fire Marshal’s Office is performing an Origin and Cause investigation.

While Chestertown was committed to the incident, Millington Community Fire Company stood by at their station against the possibility of another incident in the Chestertown district.

There were no injuries reported.

Residential, Townhouse / Condominium

Forest Hill, MD – Sprinkler system activated for microwave fire in condominium

A microwave started a fire at a condominium building in Harford County, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

A neighbor of the occupant heard a smoke alarm and later discovered the occupant inside her apartment with heavy smoke, fire officials said. Another neighbor assisted her out of the apartment.

Neighbors exited their units after the fire alarm sounded, according to fire officials. One fire sprinkler activated and contained the fire within and around the microwave in the unit with minimal fire damage.

Water damage affected two units, including the unit of origin and the unit directly below, fire officials said.

Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray stated, “Residential fire sprinklers are proven to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property and valuables. This is yet another example of how the presence of an automatic fire sprinkler system protected occupants and prevented substantial fire damage to residential property.”