Tag Archives: Morning (7am-12pm)

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Yuma, AZ – Fire in trash compactor room at Target store suppressed by sprinkler system

The Yuma Fire Department said a local store had to be evacuated Monday morning due to a fire.  YFD the fire was reported at about 9:40 a.m. at the rear of the Target store, located at 1450 South Yuma Palms Parkway. Arriving Yuma Fire Department personnel found there had been a fire in the store’s commercial trash compactor.  That fire activated a fire suppression sprinkler head in the compactor room, containing and extinguishing the fire. Firefighters were able to shut down the water flow and ensure the fire was out.

The store was evacuated due to the initial alarm on site. There was no damage to the store itself and the store was able to soon resume normal operations. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.  YFD said fire sprinkler systems can keep fires from spreading and can also extinguish them. Fire spreads quickly and can double in size every minute. Even small fires can cause significant damage to property and endanger those nearby. Contrary to many Hollywood portrayals, only sprinkler heads directly exposed to the heat activate, not those in the rest of the room, building, or complex.  Sprinkler systems save lives and protect property.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Coventry Twp, OH – Fire at senior housing complex contained with help from sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A fire trapped residents in part of a Portage Lakes senior citizen housing complex Saturday morning until firefighters and a building sprinkler system doused the flames enough to rescue them.  The Coventry Township Fire Department reported no injuries in a news release.  What started the apartment fire and how much damage it caused remains under investigation.  People displaced by the blaze were being helped by the American Red Cross at the nearby Kiwanis Civic Center.  The fire department statement said an automatic fire alarm came in to the fire station from the Kiwanis Towers in the 300 block of Portage Lakes Drive about 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

As firefighters battled the blaze with a hose on the fourth floor of the apartment building, Summit County Sheriff’s Office employees and others began rescuing trapped residents. Help arrived from surrounding first responders and others, including an Akron Metro bus, to treat and shelter evacuees. A photo posted on the Facebook page Portage Lakes Rocks showed about 30 people at the civic center.  “Sprinklers and smoke detectors save lives,” the fire department said in its release about the incident.

Apartment Building, Residential

Bath, ME – Sprinkler system activated at apartment building for elderly and disabled

Residents escaped safely from Seacliff Apartments, which provides housing for the elderly and disabled, when a fire broke out at one of the apartments at 47 Floral St. Sunday morning.

The fire was reported at 10:17 a.m. and drew firefighters from multiple communities. The building is owned by Bath Housing.

“The guys made a tremendous stop,” said Bath Fire Chief Lawrence Renaud.

The six-member crew on duty was able to extinguish the flames and upward of 50 firefighters quickly responded from Bath and the neighboring towns including Brunswick, West Bath, Woolwich, Phippsburg and Topsham.

The building houses 36 single bedroom apartment units and four two-bedroom apartments, according to the Bath Housing Authority’s website.

Given the time of the day and type of structure, there was concern the tenant was inside the apartment when the fire broke out, but Renaud said the person was located elsewhere.

“The sprinkler system in the hallways did activate so I think that was in our favor as well,” Renaud said. “I can’t advocate enough about sprinkler systems. They do save property and lives.”

A second floor apartment had a window open above the ground-floor apartment where flames were shooting from the window, causing smoke damage.

For the most part, there doesn’t seem to be any structural damage to the second floor, Renaud said. There are at least six units with water damage on the first floor and two with smoke damage on the second floor that are uninhabitable. The cause and origin of the fire haven’t been determined.

“It’s a coordinated effort,” he said.The American Red Cross was called to assist residents who may have been displaced by the fire. Bath Housing staff also responded because they know the building and their clientele.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Wallaceburg, ON, Canada – Second floor hotel fire controlled by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Firefighters who broke into a Wallaceburg building to help residents escape a blaze Monday morning said the sprinkler system prevented the situation from becoming tragic.

According to a release from the Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services, they were called just before 8am to a fire at Sam’s Hotel in Wallaceburg. Firefighters could see smoke issuing from a second-floor window when they arrived.

Assistant Fire Chief Adam Walters attended the scene and said things could have been worse if not for the sprinklers.

“The presence of the sprinkler system in this building was a vital safety feature that protected the occupants during this emergency,” Walters said. “The cause of the fire is still under investigation and we are currently working with Police and partner agencies to ensure the occupants are safe and accommodated whilst this matter is being dealt with.”

Firefighters said it was unclear what was on fire and if anyone was still inside, but crews made a quick entry into the building wearing breathing apparatus. After a rapid knockdown of the fire, the release said crews assisted residents in evacuating the building. No injuries were reported.

Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services want to remind residents that when a fire occurs, they need to get out as soon as possible, call 911 and stay out of the building. The service added it is important to sit down with your family to make a step-by-step plan for escaping from a fire.

Chatham-Kent victim services are currently assisting those who have been displaced by this fire.

Restaurant

Lexington, KY – Sprinkler system aids firefighters in controlling blaze at popular bar

A beloved Lexington bar was damaged in a fire Friday morning.  The fire broke out at Belle’s Cocktail House in the 100-block of Market Street. The damage is mostly contained to the roof.  The sprinkler system was working and that helped firefighters contain the flames quickly. Investigators believe the fire broke out in the building’s mechanical room.  A firefighter did sustain a hand injury. The lower floors of the building received smoke and water damage. No one was in the building when the fire sparked. Police have shut down the area around Market Street. Blocked intersections include Market at Short, Church at Lime, Main at Lime and Upper at Church.  Owner Justin Thompson credits Lexington Fire for their quick response for saving his business.

 

Retail

Tulsa, OK – Sprinkler system helps control intentionally set fire during armed robbery, stand-off with police

Police are questioning a man they arrested after a three-hour standoff at the Dollar General near Admiral and Harvard.
Investigators say Treveon Vaughn also confessed to several other robberies this year.  Police said around 8:00 Friday morning, a man armed with a gun and dressed in black went into the store to rob it. The employees were able to escape, leaving the suspect inside the store alone.

Police also believe a getaway driver left Vaughn at the scene. Tactical teams got in place, guns were drawn, and the police chopper flew above as Tulsa’s Special Operations Team worked to get the robbery suspect out of the store.  “You don’t have to rob, steal and kill from people just to get what you want. There’s help out there,” witness Crystal Turner said.  She said her cousin was one of the cashiers who was inside when it happened.

“I don’t know why people can’t get jobs instead of robbing, stealing and killing from people. It’s sad,” Turner said.  During the three-hour standoff, police said Vaughn started a fire, activating the store’s sprinkler system, so police called in the fire department.  “We see cops up here about two to three times a week just for Dollar General,” witness Fred Lollis said.  Lollis and his wife couldn’t help but wondered what the commotion was.

“I do know that there’s a lot of stuff that happens at the Dollar General, and the store manager is always having to come out and chase people down almost daily,” he said.

Vaughn eventually surrendered peacefully.  “He did come out of the store peacefully which is what we wanted to happen,” Officer Jeanne Mackenzie said. “We wanted him to come out. We didn’t want anybody hurt or injured. We didn’t want the officers hurt or injured, so it was a very successful operation for us.”  Police are still looking for the get-away driver.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Meriden, CT – Fire at high rise apartment complex extinguished by sprinkler system

The fire department responded to a call after a smoke alarm was tripped at at a high-rise complex Tuesday afternoon. This was related stove fire that activated a sprinkler system at the 55 Willow St. complex. The fire was extinguished by the sprinkler system. Crews remained on scene for about one hour evacuating residents, removing water from apartments on floors 1-4 and checking for associated hazards.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Eunice, LA – Sprinkler system activates to help control classroom fire at elementary school

Officials with the St. Landry Parish School Board have announced that Eunice Elementary will be closed tomorrow Wednesday, August 15 due to this morning’s fire.  The school board says that safety assessment procedures will be ongoing tomorrow at the school. All 12-month employees will be required to report to work and the principal will contact staff members to let them know when or if they should report to work on Wednesday.  The closure only affects Eunice Elementary. All other schools will report as normal tomorrow.

Officials say the cause of this morning’s fire at Eunice Elementary School is still under investigation. The fire caused the school to be closed on Tuesday to all students and teachers. The school board noted that all 12-month employees should report to work as usual today.  One custodian was in the school at the time of the fire and noticed flames coming from the classroom. That individual was able to exit the building safely.  One classroom and a majority of the supplies inside are a complete loss, according to Principal Mary Dupre.  Flooding caused by the sprinkler system has also damaged the building where the fire took place.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Providence, RI – Sprinkler system assists firefighters in controlling elementary classroom fire

A classroom at Vartan Gregorian Elementary School on Wickenden Street sustained major damage in a fire Wednesday morning, officials said.  Providence fire officials said no civilians or firefighters were hurt in the blaze, which came in at about 9:35 a.m. Five staff members were in the building, but were unharmed, fire officials said.  The fire, which is not considered suspicious, took about 45 minutes to get under control, according to fire officials. The sprinkler system was going off in the room when firefighters arrived.  The classroom where the fire took place was badly damaged, and other rooms had some smoke and water damage, according to fire officials.  School district administrators have told fire officials that the incident shouldn’t affect the start of the school year.

Apartment Building, Residential

Hickory, NC – Sprinkler system keeps dryer fire in apartment building contained until fire crews arrive

The Hickory Fire Department responded to a fire at the Estates at Legends apartment complex on Wednesday.

Battalion Chief J.L. Barger said a dryer was a source of the fire. Sprinkler systems kept the fire contained until firefighters could ensure it was out.

The building has no fire damage but the sprinkler system has flooded several apartments, Barger said. No one was hurt, but several people will be displaced.

Barger said that the fire department is asking owners of the complex to find temporary housing for those displaced. If units aren’t available they will seek assistance from the Red Cross, Barger said. The complex sits behind AMC Hickory 15 movie theater.

Catawba County Emergency Medical Services were also present as a precaution. 

Mildred Barbitta lives on the ground floor a couple floors below where the fire occurred.

“Just everything’s wet, really,” Barbitta said after taking a look in her apartment. “There is some water damage, I guess, on the ceiling. Things happen.”

Barbitta estimated the fire happened between 11:30 a.m. and noon.

Devon Payne was in her apartment on the floor just above where the fire occurred.

“I was microwaving something and I thought, ‘Oh no,’ and then I realized it was the fire alarm,” Payne said.

Payne left her apartment with her two children and dog.