Tag Archives: Night (9pm-5am)

College/University (on campus), Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential, School / University

Madison, WI – Sprinkler system activated for fire on university campus

The Madison Fire Department reported an automatic sprinkler prevented further damage to a building on UW-Madison’s campus overnight.

Spokesperson Cynthia Schuster said firefighters were dispatched to 30 East Campus Mall at 12:33 a.m. for a fire alarm activation. Schuster said no one was around to report the fire to 911.

Upon arrival, firefighters were met by members of the UW-Madison Police Department and UW Security.

The crew entered the building and noticed an odor of smoke. The odor was followed to a wood workshop, where the crew found the room full of smoke and an automatic fire sprinkler activated.

Beneath the active sprinkler was a burned-up garbage can and its contents on the floor. Just one sprinkler head activated, but it extinguished the fire and prevented the fire from spreading, according to Schuster.

Damage from the fire is estimated at about $2,000. Damage was contained to some paint cans, a portable electric sander, cabinets and other items.

Firefighters moved the burned items outside, ventilated the area, and turned off the fire sprinkler system.

With the sprinkler systems temporarily shut down, UW Security provided fire watch until a responsible party returned to the building.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Syracuse, NY – Sprinkler system activated for fire on 20th floor of hotel; No injuries reported

Firefighters responded in big numbers to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Syracuse Wednesday evening.

Around 9 p.m., Syracuse Firefighters were dispatched to investigate a fire alarm activation at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 701 East Genesee Street, in downtown Syracuse.

When firefighters arrived on the scene moments later, they found an active alarm in the building, indicating a fire sprinkler activation on the 20th floor. Firefighters also noticed water leaking from elevator shafts on the first floor, and a faint odor of smoke in the lobby. The incident commander at the scene immediately requested the alarm be upgraded from an alarm investigation response.

The water leaking into the elevators had caused them to become disabled, and unusable, on the first floor. As additional crews of firefighters arrived at the scene, they began moving equipment and personnel up to the 20th floor via the stairwells to investigate. As crews neared the top, they encountered a worsening smoke condition, and eventually found fire on the 20th floor.

Teams of firefighters searched the 20th floor for any trapped occupants as other teams of firefighters connected hoses to the building’s standpipe system to fight the fire. It was quickly determined that the 20th floor, an open-plan event space frequently used for large gatherings, was empty. The fire was located and extinguished.

A sprinkler head nearby had activated as designed and held the flames in check. Crews also checked the floor below the fire, as smoke that filled the 20th floor had begun to affect the 19th floor. Incident commanders requested a ‘second alarm,’ bringing additional personnel and resources to the scene.

With the bulk of the fire knocked down, crews shifted to a ventilation operation. This involved bringing in large, powerful fans to remove smoke and other products of combustion from the affected floors.

The 20th floor sustained fire, smoke, and water damage. Syracuse Fire Investigators were at the scene working to determine the exact origin and cause of the fire. That investigation is ongoing.

Firefighters worked to protect belongings and property in the affected area, using large tarps to divert water away. No one was injured.

Hotel staff are working with fire officials to ensure any guests displaced by the fire and subsequent fire suppression operations are accommodated.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Litchfield, NH – Fire in laundry room extinguished by sprinkler system

Firefighters responded to a fire alarm at Mels Funway Park early Friday morning, encountering smoke and a small fire that was swiftly contained by the building’s sprinkler system.

Engines 1, 4, and Tanker 3 were dispatched to 454 Charles Bancroft Hwy at 3:47 a.m. following the alarm.

The first officer on the scene, a Litchfield Fire lieutenant who lives nearby, reported smoke on the first floor of the three-story building.

A working fire assignment was immediately requested, bringing additional support from Londonderry, Hudson, and Merrimack, including a ladder truck, an engine, an ambulance, and a battalion chief.

Upon the arrival of Litchfield C1, command was established for the incident.

Fire crews meticulously searched the large building for the source of the smoke, a process that took significant time due to the building’s size.

The four occupants of the building were safely evacuated, and all floors were checked.

Light smoke was found on the third floor, but there were no conditions on the second.

The fire, located in a first-floor back laundry room filled with storage items, had been extinguished by the sprinkler system before firefighters arrived.

Once the fire was confirmed to be out, the building was ventilated, air quality was monitored, and the area of the fire was isolated to prevent any further incidents.

The building was then cleared and turned back over to the property representative, allowing all occupants to return.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by authorities.

All fire companies involved cleared the scene at 5:30 a.m.

Apartment Building, Residential

Bend, OR – Apartment patio fire extinguished by a single sprinkler head activation

An apartment patio fire in southwest Bend Saturday night was put out and stopped from spreading inside by a single activated fire sprinkler, officials said.

Bend Fire & Rescue responded around 10:15 p.m. to the reported fire on a first-floor patio at the Stillwater Crossing apartment complex on SW Atwood Drive (near Highway 97 and Ponderosa Street), Battalion Chief Scott Wyman said.

Two fire engines, a medic unit, a ladder truck and a command vehicle went to the scene, where residents of the apartment building had evacuated.

The first engine crew to arrive found a smoldering fire that already had been extinguished by the fire sprinkler, Wyman said.

Firefighters confirmed the fire was fully out and shut down the sprinkler system. Wyman said all residents were able to return to their apartments.

Deputy Fire Marshal Cindy Kettering said, “This was an exterior fire that was held in place, held in check by an exterior sprinkler.”

“Commonly, when we see fires that start on an exterior side of a building, they can go up the siding into the eaves and spread into the attic space and turn into a very large and challenging fire,” Kettering said.

But in this case, she said, “There were fire sprinklers in this building. That single one sprinkler head activated and basically extinguished the fire before we even arrived on scene.”

An investigation determined the fire’s likely cause was improper disposal of cigarette smoking material, Wyman said.

Damage was limited to $2,000 worth of contents and minor damage to the structure.

“The sprinkler system prevented significant loss to the structure and displacement of multiple occupants,” the battalion chief said in a news release.

“National data show that the presence of fire sprinklers in residences drastically reduces the fire damage and potential for loss of life,” Wyman added.

Apartment Building, Residential

Wilmington, DE – Sprinkler system activated for third-floor apartment fire; No injuries reported

The Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an apartment fire that occurred Tuesday evening.

Officials said just after 10:30 the Wilmington Fire Department was called to a residential structure fire in the 200 block of W 4th Street.

Emergency responders arrived on the scene to find smoke coming from the third-floor stairwell of a four-story, wood-framed apartment building situated at the intersection of W 4th Street and N Tatnall Street.

Firefighters quickly entered the building and located the source of the fire in a third-floor apartment. The blaze was being effectively managed by the building’s sprinkler system upon their arrival officials said. The fire department personnel extinguished a small fire located in one of the bedrooms and subsequently secured the sprinkler system to prevent further damage.

The activation of the sprinkler system played an important role in containing the fire. The apartment sustained only minor fire and smoke damage. The apartment directly below suffered water damage as a result of firefighting efforts. Officials said the quick containment of the fire allowed most residents to return to their apartments shortly after the fire was declared under control, about 15 minutes following the fire department’s arrival.

There were no reported injuries. The cause and origin of the fire are currently under investigation by the Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office.

Approximately 30 fire and EMS personnel were dispatched to the scene.

Fire / Police Station, Government/Military

Lawrence, KS – Sprinkler system activated for electrical malfunction at law enforcement center; No injuries reported

There were no injuries from a fire at the law enforcement center in Lawrence late Tuesday.

Just before 11p.m. crews responded to a fire alarm at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center at 111 East 11th Street in Lawrence, according to Fire Chief Richard Llewellyn.

This facility houses several Douglas County departments, including the District Attorney, Emergency Communications Center (ECC), Court Services and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

While initial units were responding, the incident was upgraded to a “Confirmed Structure Fire” and additional resources were dispatched.

First responders encountered significant smoke in the basement of the building.  Following a thorough search in low visibility conditions, firefighters located a fire that was contained by a single activated fire sprinkler head.

Crews put the fire out and then searched the rest of the building for fire extension and to ensure that no victims were present.

Douglas County’s Emergency Communications Center (ECC) continued to operate throughout this incident, both receiving incoming 911 calls and dispatching resources as appropriate. Dispatchers monitored ongoing fire operations in the building and worked through an audible fire alarm which remained activated for an extended time period.

Investigators determined the fire occurred in the jury deliberation room for the Division 7 Court Room in the basement of the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.

The room had experienced water damage from a sprinkler head that was damaged during recent freezing temperatures. The fire was determined to be accidental due to an electrical/mechanical malfunction of a fan that had been left running in the room to assist with the drying process. No injuries were reported.

Food Processing, Manufacturing

Mason City, IA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Ag Processing plant; No injuries reported

Mason City firefighters responded to a call of an equipment fire at Ag Processing, located at 1605 19th Street SW just before 3 a.m. Wednesday.

According to a press release, one ladder truck, two ambulances and three command units with total of 14 firefighters/medics responded to the scene.

Upon their arrival, fire department personnel found the fire sprinkler system was activated in the building where the process equipment was located. The fire sprinkler system assisted with containing the fire until the fire department gained access to the interior of the equipment and extinguished the fire, the release said.

The majority of the units cleared the scene by 5:58 a.m., with the exception of one engine company remained on scene most of the day to assist plant staff with overhaul.

MCFD personnel were also assisted on scene by Cerro Gordo Emergency Management. No injuries were reported The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Leominster, MA – Sprinkler system suppresses lithium-ion battery fire at manufacturing facility

The sprinkler system in a Leominster business controlled a lithium-ion battery fire yesterday, preventing what could have been serious damage in the early-morning hours, said Leominster Fire Chief Robert A. Sideleau II and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.

The Leominster Fire Department responded to an alarm activation at a manufacturing business at 501 Lancaster St. shortly before 5:00 yesterday morning. On arrival, they observed smoke but no fire. Firefighters made entry, searched for any injured parties, and ensured that the fire was fully extinguished. On further examination, they found that an overhead sprinkler head had activated, suppressing the fire.

An investigation by the Leominster Fire Department, Leominster Police Department, and State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office determined that the fire was accidental started with lithium-ion batteries that had overheated on a workbench.

“If they’re abused, overheated, or overcharged, lithium-ion batteries can start a fire that explodes in smoke, flames, and toxic, flammable gases,” said Chief Sideleau. “These batteries power devices we use at home every day, from phones and laptops to power tools and outdoor equipment. It’s important to charge, use, and store these devices safely. Always use the manufacturer’s charging equipment. Charge the device on a hard and stable surface, not a bed, couch, or pillow. Disconnect the device when it’s fully charged, and store it at room temperature, not in direct sunlight, a hot car, or freezing temperatures.”

“The sprinkler system at this site operated exactly as intended,” said State Fire Marshal Davine.  “It effectively extinguished a fire and prevented serious damage or injury. Tragically, none of the 31 Massachusetts residents who died in fires at home last year had that protection. If you’re buying or building a home, choose one with fire sprinklers. There is no faster or more efficient way to control a serious fire until firefighters arrive.”

Yesterday’s incident was the second lithium-ion battery fire to be extinguished by a sprinkler system in recent weeks. On January 4, the Woburn Fire Department responded to a commercial site for an alarm activation to find that the building’s sprinkler system had effectively suppressed a fire that started with a chemical reaction involving lithium-ion batteries.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Erie, PA – Sprinkler system contains fire in building; No injuries reported

A fire broke out in the 200 block of West 9th Street overnight Monday.

Calls went out just after 2:40 a.m. on Monday for reported heavy smoke. Upon arrival, crews found a small fire which had been contained by the sprinkler system in the building.

Fire crews used fans to clear the building of the heavy smoke. Minimal damage was reported, and no one was injured.

Residential, Single Family Home

Largo, MD – Residential sprinkler system activated for early morning house fire

Three people are without a home early Tuesday morning after a large fire in Upper Marlboro.

Firefighters with the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department responded to Water Fowl Way, off of Watkins Park Drive, around 4:45 a.m. after a report of a house fire in the area. Through an initial investigation, it was determined that the fire in the garage spread to the roof area of the home.

Three people were inside the home at the time of the fire and were alerted to the blaze by smoke alarms. The residential sprinkler system also activated and helped to minimize the spread of the fire in the living areas.

The house fire left three people displaced, but none of the residents were injured. One firefighter was taken to the hospital to be checked out after working the fire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.