Tag Archives: Maryland

Apartment Building, Residential

Fire sprinklers and working smoke alarms save child playing with matches (Salisbury, MD)

February 12, 2013 viking210

Fire crews were called to a two-story five unit apartment building just before 8:30 a.m. for a report of a fire. When firefighters arrived they found the fire was already extinguished in the four-year-old child’s bedroom. Fire Marshals investigating the scene concluded that the child had been playing with matches and set a bed on fire. Working smoke alarms alerted the parents to the blaze and they were able to escape with the child and warn neighbors. A sprinkler in the child’s bedroom put out the fire.

“This is yet another example of the effectiveness of automatic fire sprinklers in residential occupancies. The presence of not only sprinklers but working smoke alarms and a home escape plan undoubtedly prevented a more tragic outcome” stated William E. Barnard, Maryland State Fire Marshal.

Apartment Building, Residential

Sprinkler system contains apartment fire (Perryville, MD)

February 6, 2013 viking210

The quick containment of a Monday morning laundry room fire in a Perryville apartment building is evidence that sprinkler systems save lives, according to the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal. The cause of the 5:30 a.m. fire is still under investigation, although it is not considered suspicious, said Deputy Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire. Firefighters evacuated residents from the eight apartments in the building, including one elderly woman who was confined to her bed.

Apartment Building, Residential

Sprinkler system extinguishes apartment fire (Columbia, MD)

February 4, 2013 viking210

Shortly before 8 p.m., Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue units responded to an automatic fire alarm. Responders found there had been a flash fire in the dining room of a third floor apartment. Officials said the fire caused a sprinkler to activate, and the blaze was extinguished.

Other - Storage / Warehouse, Storage / Warehouse

UPS facility saved by fire sprinkler system (Violetville, MD)

November 30, 2012 viking210

The Baltimore County Fire Department said that the call came in at about 9:45 a.m. reporting that a conveyer belt had caught fire. Batallion Chief Joe Brown said the fire was difficult to locate due to the smoke, size of the building and number/layers of conveyer belts. “Thankfully, the sprinkler system activated, suppressing the fire to the point that we could get in there,” he said.

Residential, Townhouse / Condominium

Kitchen fire extinguished thanks to fire sprinkler (Charles County, MD)

November 20, 2012 viking210

A fire that erupted overnight in a townhouse kitchen was quickly doused by the home’s fire sprinkler system. Maryland State Fire Marshal William E. Barnard said, “This is yet another example of the effectiveness of automatic fire sprinklers in residential occupancies. Residential fire sprinklers save lives and property. The presence of fire sprinklers undoubtedly prevented a more tragic outcome.”

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Sprinklers credited with putting out nursing home fire (Sykesville, MD)

September 24, 2012 viking210

A small fire on Friday evening at a retirement community was accidental in nature, and was put out quickly because of sprinklers, according to the State Fire Marshals’ office. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Sprinkler prevents major fire damage at restaurant (Ocean City, MD)

August 6, 2012 viking210

Firefighters were able to get the fire, which originated in the kitchen, under control. Officials say a sprinkler was activated during the blaze, which prevented extensive damages to the rest of the restaurant. Officials say no one was injured.

Residential, Townhouse / Condominium

Sprinkler system credited with saving townhouse (Elkton, MD)

June 20, 2012 viking210

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is crediting a fire sprinkler system with saving a home from devastation. 

Officials say a man was preparing a meal on the stove when his child was stung by an insect outside. As he attended to his child, the items on the stove burst into flames.

During the time it took to call 911, the fire sprinkler system activated and extinguished the flames before the fire department arrived. With the help of the sprinklers, the fire damages were contained to the stove and cabinets

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Middle school classroom fire extinguished by sprinkler system (Salisbury, MD)

June 6, 2012 viking210

Acting Salisbury Fire Department Chief Rick Hoppes said a fire at Salisbury Middle School set off their sprinkler system and was extinguished by the time fire crews arrived. He said the fire began in a smaller room attached to a science classroom and was contained to the area. Students were evacuated, but were returning to their classrooms by early afternoon.

Apartment Building, Residential

Mother charged after apartment fire with her two children at home, sprinkler system credited with containing fire (Laurel, MD)

February 27, 2012 viking210

A Laurel mother was arrested and charged this afternoon after firefighters found her unconscious and her two young children wet from the spray of the sprinklers in their Main Street apartment.