Tag Archives: New Jersey

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Hillsdale, NJ – Fire at bakery contained by sprinkler system

A fire that broke out early Saturday morning in the bakery area of the Hillsdale ShopRite was quickly contained by the store’s sprinkler system, preventing what officials say could have been extensive damage.

According to a report from ex-chief Dan Schuster, the Hillsdale Fire Department received a 911 call at 1:37 a.m. from an employee reporting the fire. A Battalion 7 Box Alarm was transmitted, adding mutual aid from River Vale, Westwood, and Woodcliff Lake fire departments, along with a Hillsdale ambulance.

Hillsdale 27 Car 2 arrived shortly after dispatch and confirmed an active fire being held in check by the sprinkler system. The crew from 27 Engine 1 established a water supply and stretched a 2.5-inch line into the building. Firefighters quickly knocked down the blaze and confirmed no extension beyond the immediate contents and hood system.

Due to the size of the store, mutual aid companies assisted with a lengthy ventilation operation. Chief Farrell held command throughout. Fire crews were on scene for approximately 75 minutes.

The fire marshal is investigating the cause, which is not believed to be suspicious. The Bergen County Board of Health also responded.

According to Shuster: Units on scene: 27 Car 1, 27 Car 2, 27 Engine 1, 27 Truck. Mutual aid: River Vale FD, Westwood FD, Woodcliff Lake FD, Hillsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service

News of the quick stop prompted an outpouring of appreciation on social media.

“Thank you, and well done!” wrote councilman, and former mayor, John Ruocco.

Several commenters praised both firefighters and the employee who phoned in the alarm. “Great job fire department… and great job to the employee for saving the bakery,” wrote Edward Murtagh. “He’s a hero.”

Others echoed thanks: “Once again, great job! Thank you,” wrote Jojo Connellan. “Thanks again for your dedication boys! God bless,” added Joe Dargan.

“Great stop,” wrote Thomas Simpson, while others noted hearing the response in the early hours.

One commenter, with a bit of levity, quipped: “Fire sale on bread and muffins. They come pre-toasted.”

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Barnegat, NJ – Fire in science lab at high school contained by sprinkler system

Barnegat High School will transition to remote learning this week as crews continue cleanup and repairs following a fire in a science lab on Friday, Principal Patrick Magee announced.

Firefighters and emergency personnel responded to a structure fire at the school after sprinklers were activated in the science lab, causing smoke throughout the building. Officials said the sprinkler system helped contain the fire, but water damage affected multiple classrooms.

Restoration work began soon after the incident but will take longer than initially anticipated, Magee said. Contractors are replacing ceiling tiles, cleaning HVAC and ventilation systems, and removing or sanitizing materials exposed to moisture to ensure the building is safe before reopening.

“Ensuring a safe, healthy environment for students and staff before we reopen is our top priority,” Magee told families in a letter.

Retail, Shopping Mall

Hackensack, NJ – Sprinkler system activated for fire at mall

A mall in Bergen County has reopened after suffering a fire on Saturday morning, firefighters said.

The Hackensack Fire Department received a report of a fire alarm and smoke at the Riverside Square Mall around 10:30 a.m. Saturday, they said.

The first firefighters on the scene, along with mall security, found a fire in the rear of the Free People clothing store, said the Department in a statement.

The First Platoon searched the area, extinguished hotspots, and brought the blaze under control, the department said.

Adjacent stores had water and smoke damage, the Fire Department said.

Officials and building management were able to restore the building’s fire alarm and sprinkler system so the mall, located on Hackensack Avenue, could reopen later on Saturday.

The fire is under investigation, but does not appear to be suspicious, officials said.

Residential, Single Family Home

Brick, NJ – Sprinkler system activated for fire at residential home; No injuries reported

A sprinkler system installed during renovations at a Brick Township home helped to limit a fire at the home on Thursday morning, Brick Township fire officials said.

The home on Cedar Island Drive was unoccupied when the fire broke out, said Kevin Batzel, chief of the Brick Township Bureau of Fire Safety. There were no injuries reported.

The fire was reported about 6:30 a.m. and was confirmed by Officer Joseph Sansone, who then called in the remainder of Brick’s fire companies to fight the fire.

The fire started on the lower part of the exterior of the home, according to the preliminary investigation, Batzel said. It traveled up the house and broke through into the interior on the upper floors of the house.

He said the sprinklers had been installed as part of recent reconstruction, and sprinkler heads in bedrooms on the second and third floors activated, “which held the fire in check until the fire department arrived.”

The sprinklers slowed the spread of the fire throughout the home and “gave firefighters valuable time to extinguish the fire and minimize damage,” Batzel said.

“Residential fire sprinklers are required in some larger constructed or renovated homes such as this one,” he said, adding that they provide another layer of protection to go along with smoke detectors.

Assistant Fire Marshal Robert Kurilla is investigating.

Batzel praised Brick Township’s firefighters and thanked all of the mutual aid partners for their assistance with the fire.

The article Sprinklers Quell Fire, Help Limit Damage At Brick Home appeared first on Brick Patch.

Apartment Building, Residential

Edison, NJ – Fire in apartment complex extinguished by sprinkler system

A small apartment fire at an Edison building early Sunday morning prompted the evacuation of numerous residents, keeping firefighters on scene for three hours, the Edison Fire Department said.

Fire crews responded to 1 Roosevelt Drive around 1:30 a.m., after receiving a fire alarm and multiple calls from residents reporting smoke on the fourth floor of a building.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered smoke conditions and activated sprinklers on the fourth floor. A small fire in one of the apartments had been extinguished before crews arrived, likely by the building’s sprinkler system, the fire department said.

As a precautionary measure, numerous residents were evacuated from the building during the incident.

Fire companies remained on scene conducting ventilation, cleanup, and safety checks until approximately 4:30 a.m.

Residential, Townhouse / Condominium

Brick, NJ – Sprinkler system activated for fire at home; No injuries reported

A sprinkler system installed during renovations at a Brick Township home helped to limit a fire at the home on Thursday morning, Brick Township fire officials said.

The home on Cedar Island Drive was unoccupied when the fire broke out, said Kevin Batzel, chief of the Brick Township Bureau of Fire Safety. There were no injuries reported.

The fire was reported about 6:30 a.m. and was confirmed by Officer Joseph Sansone, who then called in the remainder of Brick’s fire companies to fight the fire.

The fire started on the lower part of the exterior of the home, according to the preliminary investigation, Batzel said. It traveled up the house and broke through into the interior on the upper floors of the house.

He said the sprinklers had been installed as part of recent reconstruction, and sprinkler heads in bedrooms on the second and third floors activated, “which held the fire in check until the fire department arrived.”

The sprinklers slowed the spread of the fire throughout the home and “gave firefighters valuable time to extinguish the fire and minimize damage,” Batzel said.

“Residential fire sprinklers are required in some larger constructed or renovated homes such as this one,” he said, adding that they provide another layer of protection to go along with smoke detectors.

Assistant Fire Marshal Robert Kurilla is investigating.

Batzel praised Brick Township’s firefighters and thanked all of the mutual aid partners for their assistance with the fire.

Hospital/Care Facility, Hospital/Medical Clinic

Hackensack, NJ – Sprinkler system activated for electrical fire at medical center; No injuries reported

Hackensack University Medical Center crews are working to report damage left by an electrical fire.
It happened at 6:38 a.m. Wednesday.
Firefighters investigated initial reports from hospital security of smoke coming from the supply room but found that an electrical busbar shorted out and activated a sprinkler, according to officials.
The electrical equipment shut down, and the sprinkler put of remaining hot spots. The damage was contained to the room, equipment and some hospital supplies.
No injuries were reported, and no evacuations took place.
Other - Retail, Retail

Jersey City, NJ – Sprinkler system activated for fire at toy store; No injuries reported

A fire in a toy store in the Newport Centre mall in Jersey City on Tuesday caused a temporary evacuation, but no injuries, a city spokesperson said.

The fire occurred around 12:30 p.m. at the Toy Chest, said Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione, a city public safety spokesperson.

She said, “Upon arrival, JCFD observed a small working fire in the toy chest store. The fire caused moderate smoke conditions inside the mall.”

“The sprinkler system went off and helped contain the fire,” she added. “Additionally, the fire department’s quick response kept the fire under control without any fire extension to any other stores.”

No injuries were reported.

Officials on the scene reported the cause may have involved the hot water heater and duct work. The Fire Department is still investigating.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Union, NJ – Sprinkler system activated for fire at underground parking garage; No injuries reported

A Stop & Shop in Union is now closed after a fire in the underground parking garage on Sunday.
Authorities say a car fire caused heavy smoke at 1201 Stuyvesant Ave. and the building’s sprinkler system to go off. No one was injured.
Union Fire Department Chief Gregory Ricciardi said repairs need to be made to the sprinklers before the building is allowed to reopen.
There was no damage to the building and minor damage to an adjacent parked car, authorities said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Apartment Building, Residential

Brick, NJ – Sprinkler system activated for fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

An apartment fire at the Chambers Bridge Residence was quickly contained Wednesday afternoon thanks to working fire sprinklers and the quick response of firefighters, Brick Township fire officials said Thursday.

There were no injuries in the fire at the 184-unit five-story building, a statement from Kevin C. Batzel, chief of the Brick Township Bureau of Fire Safety said.

Brick Township emergency dispatch received an alert about a waterflow activation at the apartment complex at 3:47 p.m. and first responders found an active fire in a second-floor apartment, Batzel said.

The fire happened in a hamper in a bedroom and the fire sprinkler head in the bedroom activated, dousing the flames, and firefighters confirmed the fire was under control within minutes of their arrival, then made quick work of smoke that lingered, he said.

The fire was contained to that room with some minor water and smoke damage to that apartment and apartments on either side and on the first floor, Batzel said.

Residents of all of the apartments except those that suffered damage were able to return to normal within hours, Batzel said.

“The bureau would like to thank the quick response of all the Brick Township fire departments, our mutual aid companies, Brick Township Police, Brick EMS and Townshipo Emergency Management for their quick response,” the statement said.

“It should be noted that the working fire sprinkler system and smoke alarms activation kept damage to a minimum in conjunction with the quick fire department response,” Batzel said. “Working alarms and the presence of fire sprinklers are imperative to fire and life safety and no doubt kept the fire small and controllable with minimal disruption to the building.”

Fire Chiefs Joe Licandro and Tom Bisbal of Fire District 1 were in control at the scene, and inspectors Joseph Sansone and Paul Matula from the fire bureau investigated.