Tag Archives: Michigan

Apartment Building, Residential

Kalamazoo, MI – Apartment fire prevented from spreading by automatic sprinkler system; No injuries reported

The Kalamazoo Fire Marshall is investigating the cause of an apartment blaze on the city’s Northside. Public Safety officers responded to the fire at the Douglas Apartments in the 1200 block of Douglas Avenue around 8:00 a.m. Tuesday and found heavy smoke coming from the second floor. Firefighters contained the blaze to just one apartment unit, but there was minor water damage to surrounding units. No one was located inside the specific unit and they’re unsure what sparked the fire. The Red Cross is helping two residents who were displaced due to the blaze. Nobody was reported injured and firefighters say the operational sprinkler system prevented the fire from spreading throughout the building.

College/University (on campus), School / University

Saginaw, MI – Fire at university extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A fire in a Saginaw Valley State University Building Sunday, March 31 caused damage. Officials say the fire began around 7:00 a.m. in a smart podium in room 215 of Brown Hall. The fire was quickly put out by the sprinkler system, but the water from the system caused damage to both the first and second floors of the building. Both floors are currently inaccessible until further notice. The third floor was unaffected. No injuries were reported. Fire departments from Kochville and Carrollton Townships and Zilwaukee responded to the scene.

Government/Military, Prison / Jail

Saginaw, MI – Sprinkler system activated for dryer fire at county jail

All inmates have returned to the Saginaw County Jail after some displaced following a fire in a commercial dryer.

The fire happened on Friday, March 29 at around 8:30 a.m.

Saginaw County Sheriff Bill Federspiel said that the fire was caused by a clogged vent in a commercial dryer located in the jail’s basement.

Federspiel said around 100-150 people, a mix of workers and inmates, had to move to higher levels of the jail.

“In the process we had to evacuate the women’s dorm, we had to evacuate some other prisoners to higher levels where there wasn’t any smoke,” said Federspiel.

Five STARS buses were called to the scene and officials moved some non-violent inmates to another, undisclosed location, as part of their emergency plan.

“Anytime you have people out of their cells it’s a dangerous situation for us. So, we just want to let the public know we’re making sure that the inmates and my staff are safe. But we’re also making sure the public is safe. So, we’ve had these plans in place for such an event and we’ve never had to use them, but now we’re putting it into action,” explained Federspiel.

On Monday, April 1, officials confirmed that all inmates had been moved back to their regular housing.

Saginaw County Undersheriff Mike Gomez also said that most operations have resumed as normal. The exception being laundry, which is being sent out.

The Saginaw Fire Department said the sprinkler system helped contain the fire and it was put out quickly with help from foam extinguishers.

“We’ve come for small trash can fires, toilet paper fires, but this is the first incident that, or major incident, that I’ve had at the jail. So, it’s a very rare event,” said Saginaw Fire Department Battalion Chief Tom Raines.

Apartment Building, Residential

Grand Rapids, MI – Second floor condominium fire contained with help from sprinkler system

One person was injured in a small fire inside of a second-floor condominium at Union Square apartments Saturday, March 16. Firefighters responded to the building, 600 Broadway Ave. NW, about 4:45 p.m. Saturday on a report of a fire alarm. Fire officials said the fire was contained to one unit and that other residents reported hearing a loud noise prior to the alarms. The sprinkler system inside the unit activated and firefighters were dealing with water issues in parts of the building. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but a Grand Rapids police forensic van was at the scene and a hazardous materials truck for the fire department. The injured person reported had facial injuries, although the injuries were not believed serious. Fire officials said he was alert and responsive when taken to a hospital.

Other - Manufacturing, Other Business

Monroe, MI – Fire at packaging business knocked down by sprinkler system

A Monroe business sustained some damage after fire broke out Saturday.  Firefighters were called to Complete Packaging Inc., 633 Detroit Ave., around 6:15 p.m.  Monroe Fire Chief Robert Wight said a sprinkler system helped to save the structure. Some products inside the facility were damaged due to the blaze.  “They knocked it down pretty fast,” the chief said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Apartment Building, Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Ferndale, MI – Fire in 68-unit apartment building for elderly, disabled, and low income residents extinguished by sprinkler system

At about 8:30 pm last Monday night some residents of Withington West apartments were evacuated due to a fire that started in a fourth floor apartment.  Withington West is a 68-unit property of the Ferndale Housing Commission. It is home to elderly, disabled and low income residents. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The fire started on a stove, by a resident cooking chicken. Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan further explained that walls in the building are made of concrete, so fire remain contained. “The fire protection system did exactly what it was designed to do, enough heat was released to set of the sprinkler head in the kitchen, effectively extinguishing the fire. The fire pump came on when the head opened, the water pressure dropped, the fire pump made up the difference,” he said. He confirmed there were no injuries. He also clarified that only apartments immediately around that where the fire started were evacuated.

Residents were permitted back into the building once the fire was extinguished, and restoration crews were on the scene as of 10pm working to clean up water from the sprinkler system and fire department. The Fire Marshall was also on hand to conduct the investigation.

Housing Director Heather VanPoucker confirmed there were no injuries and that efforts to protect residents went smoothly. “Fire suppression worked exactly as intended.” VanPoucker said. “The fire department response was excellent as always.”

Restaurant

Sturgis, MI – Clothes dryer fire at Culver’s restaurant controlled by sprinkler system

A Sunday morning fire damaged a Culver’s restaurant.  At 2:28 a.m. Sunday, the Sturgis Fire Department was dispatched to Culver’s at 830 S. Centreville Road for a report of smoke in the building. Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters found the building full of smoke from an unknown origin.  After entering the restaurant and investigating, firefighters found a clothes dryer burning in the rear of the restaurant. The fire had been contained to only the dryer by a working sprinkler head.

The remaining fire was put out and the washer/dryer unit was removed from the building.  The building sustained minor smoke damage and no structural damage. However, there was a large amount of water from the activated sprinkler head and due to water in the electric panels the main power meter to the building had to be turned off.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Woodhaven, MI – Sprinkler system saves Tropical Smoothie and many other businesses from major fire

A store sprinkler system is credited for helping keep a business from going up in flames Wednesday night.

Fire broke out at about 11:10 p.m. inside Tropical Smoothie, 23112 Allen Road.

The Woodhaven Fire Department received a “water flow notification” for the location, which indicated the sprinkler system had been activated.

It initiated an alarm and fire crews rushed to the business.

According to Fire Chief Michael Clark, the best-case scenario possible unfolded out of a potentially costly situation.

Thanks to the installed suppression system, the fire was out before fire crews even arrived, Clark said.

He said the business suffered minimal damage, mostly due to water and smoke.

The chief said it appears that a mop handle situated next to the water heater might have initiated the fire. One was found melted near the water heater.

“I see nothing suspicious in nature about the fire,” Clark said. “We have pretty much completed our end of this investigation.”

He said this is a perfect example of why sprinkler systems are so important and all businesses should have one in working order.

“It saves lives and thousands of dollars,” Clark said. “There are three or four other businesses connected to the store in this strip and they would have been affected.”

Other Business, Recycling / Waste Facility

Niles, MI – Newly repaired sprinkler system subdues fire until crews arrive

If you are a customer of Michiana Recycling and Disposal, trash service will be delayed Tuesday due to an overnight fire at the company’s transfer station. 

The Howard Township Fire say the fire started in a cardboard bin around 12 a.m.

Another employee heard about the fire and called 9-1-1.

When crews arrived on scene, flames and heavy smoke were visible.

Employees said a newly repaired sprinkler system helped to subdue the flames until first responders arrived.

The fire was put out just after 4 a.m.

No injuries were reported.