Fire crews responded to a small fire inside Oakdale Mall Wednesday morning.
The Johnson City Fire Marshall Bob Blakeslee told 12 News a small fire broke out inside one of the mall’s stores around 1:25 a.m. He said a sprinkler was tripped and was able to put out the fire safely.
There were no injuries in the incident, and the extent of the damage is unknown at this time.
Blakeslee could not confirm the impacted store.
12 News expects to learn more information throughout the morning.
A water overflow alarm at 12:26 a.m. at an apartment on Halite Way initiated the Fire Department’s response. In the meantime, a fire was reported in the building.
Crews found smoke and water coming from one of the five apartments in the building, and smoke detectors were sounding. The building’s fire alarm and sprinkler system were also activated. The fire was controlled by a single sprinkler head but had extended to the range hood and some of the kitchen cabinets.
The resident told firefighters about starting to warm a pan of oil on the stove and then falling asleep in a nearby chair. The resident was awakened by the alarms and evacuated safely, along with two dogs. No injuries were reported.
The resident and the dogs were displaced, but occupants of the other four units were able to stay in their apartments.
The fire caused $10,000 to $20,000 damage, but the Fire Department said the sprinkler system saved up to $1.2 million in property and contents.
The Newport Fire Department responded to a commercial fire call at 3019 North Coast Highway at about 12:45 a.m. Monday. Fire Chief Rob Murphy said responding firefighters found a blaze in the laundry room that had largely been extinguished by the facility’s sprinkler system, and they were able to quickly put down smolders and clear smoke from the building.
The entire hotel was briefly evacuated as a precaution — Murphy praised management for their execution of that process — but there was no damage to the main building, and guests were able to return to their rooms.
Murphy said the fire started by spontaneous combustion in a pile of laundry. Even after washed, the chief said, cloth can retain residue of oils and other chemicals. When that material is piled in large stacks, especially if it contains moisture, the oxidation of those chemicals releases heat with no place to escape, eventually building to ignition.
This kind of fire can be prevented by spreading laundry out as opposed to piling it, the chief said, adding that the incident was a great example of the value of fire alarm and suppression systems.
In an email to the News-Times, hotel manager Joshua Conrad thanked emergency personnel for their response and support.
Arson is suspected in a fire reported at a local hotel, according to the Laredo Fire Department.
LFD crews responded to a structure fire at about 3:26 a.m. on June 1 at the Amerik Suites in the 6500 Block of Metro Court. Firefighters said they encountered an active fire on the first floor bathroom and the west wing hallway.
First responders said the fire activated the sprinkler system, causing flooding to the affected area. There was minimal fire damage to the building, according to first responders.
The building was evacuated at the time of the incident. A fire watch was initiated until the sprinkler system was reactivated. Crews turned over the building to hotel management.
LFD officials are investigating the fire as a possible arson. To provide information on the case, call 795-2800 or Laredo Crime Stoppers at 727-TIPS (8477). Information provided via Crime Stoppers may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
When crews arrived on the scene they found light smoke coming from a second-floor apartment window.
The fire was contained to the kitchen of a single upstairs apartment unit and was nearly extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system that had activated prior to fire department arrival.
Two families were displaced by the fire and were being assisted by the Red Cross. No injuries were reported.
There is no damage estimate at this time.
The fire is not deemed suspicious following an initial investigation by the City of Brookfield Fire Department.
Firefighters put out a fire at a restaurant in Folsom early Tuesday morning.
Officials with the Folsom Fire Department say they were alerted to a fire burning at a restaurant on Greenback Lane near Green Top Way just after 1 a.m. when the alarm connected to the restaurant’s sprinkler system went off.
When fire crews arrived, they say the blaze was burning the front of the building and after additional crews were brought in, they were able to put out the fire quickly.
Investigators say the inside of the restaurant was damaged by smoke and water.
No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
When the firefighters reached the second-floor of the building, with the gasoline odor even more noticeable, they observed a charred trail where a fire had been burning, until the sprinkler system had extinguished it.
Fire officials said that most of the building’s occupants had evacuated the building when the alarm activated in the building. As they continued their inspection, firefighters discovered that an entry door to a specific apartment had sustained fire damage prior to their arrival.
The initial investigation indicates that an accelerant, presumably gasoline, was poured in the second-floor hallway, and intentionally ignited. The sprinkler system extinguished the fire. The City of Poughkeepsie Police were called to the scene to investigate the possible criminal act.
No injuries were reported. Officials noted that ceiling tiles on the first floor had sustained water damage from the sprinklers and fell to the floor.
Over the past several weeks, the fire department has responded to several calls at the address. On one occasion, a gas can was placed in the building and evidence indicates that an attempt to ignite it had occurred. On another date, firefighters responded to a similar call.
City of Poughkeepsie Police have responded to the building several times in recent weeks as well. On one date, they responded to a call of gunfire that resulted in bullets entering an occupied apartment. More recently, a drug raid was conducted at an apartment in the building, resulting in a seizure of guns, drugs, and cash. Arrests were made during that incident.
Sources have told Mid Hudson News that the police are investigating the Monday morning fire as a possible arson. Anyone with information is asked to call 845-451-7577.
At 8:54 p.m., crews were dispatched to the location in the 16000 block of Merrill Avenue, according to Public Information Officer Mike McClintock.
Crews found smoke and a small fire in a bathroom fan that had spread to a small area of the attic. Firefighters put the fire out and checked for extension to the remainder of the attic space and adjoining units.
“Thankfully a quick response and an activated fire sprinkler helped keep the fire from growing larger,” McClintock said.
Crews remained on scene for about one hour, working on salvage and overhaul.
Initially there were reports of people trapped inside the building, but those reports turned out to be unfounded, McClintock said.
“In the event of fire, time is the biggest enemy, and every second counts. In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can turn into a major fire. Have escape plans to get out of your home quickly. Practice E.D.I.T.H. — Exit Drills in the Home — with your family,” McClintock said.
Firefighters responding to the fire alarm noticed smoke filling the downtown streets. They were able to located the fire inside the dry cleaning business.
Alice FIre Chief Patrick Thomas said the sprinkler system inside the business activated and kept the fire small until firefighters were able to access the business and extinguish the fire.
“The fire could’ve been worse for the business and for the downtown businesses in the area, but we’re thankful that the sprinkler system activated,” Thomas said.
Firefighters have not found a cause to the fire, but do not believe it was intentional.
“We’re thankful that in happened when the business was closed and no one was around, so no one got hurt,” Thomas said.
An overnight fire caused an estimated $50,000 in damage to a Coralville business.
According to a news release, the Coralville Fire Department was called to Theisen’s, 100 Westcor Dr., around 3:40 a.m. Wednesday. The fire department credits the store’s sprinkler system for suppressing the fire before crews arrived.
The business sustained a small amount of fire damage, as well as light smoke and water damage.
Firefighters remained on scene until 6 a.m. to help with water removal so the business could open on time, the fire department said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but is believed to be accidental.
