Tag Archives: Night (9pm-5am)

College/University (on campus), School / University

Lexington, VA – Sprinkler system activated for overnight fire on university campus

Sprinkler System Kept Nighttime Fire From Growing

A nighttime electrical fire in an academic building on Washington and Lee University’s campus last week was quickly contained by the building’s fire suppression system, and extinguished by the Lexington Fire Department.

“At approximately 1:15 a.m. on Thursday, April 25, a small electrical fire occurred in a third-floor bathroom in Reid Hall, which was unoccupied at the time,” said Drewry Sackett, university spokesperson.

Reid Hall is home to the university’s journalism and mass communication departments.

“The sprinkler system was activated, the fire department responded, and the fire was extinguished quickly,” she told The News-Gazette.

Dispatched around 1:15 a.m., Lexington fire crews put out the fire and turned off the sprinkler system to limit water damage to the building.

The fire was declared under control at 2:05 a.m., though firefighters remained on the scene until 3:40 a.m. to monitor and help control water damage.

Lexington Fire Chief Ty Dickerson said that the building’s fire suppression system prevented what could have been significant damage to the building.

“It is very fortunate that the building had a fire sprinkler system. That single fire sprinkler head was activated by the heat from the fire in the light fixture and was contained prior to the fire department’s arrival,” he said.

“The fire alarm connected to the fire sprinkler system activated and notified a monitoring company who notified our regional 911 center who dispatched the Lexington Fire Department,” said Dickerson.

“Without that fire sprinkler and alarm system, a fire in an unoccupied building in the middle of the night could have grown very large before being noticed,” he said.

Sackett said that the building was reopened in time to welcome students back from spring break.

“The building sustained water damage and was closed briefly for repairs,” she said.

“It reopened over the weekend, in time for Monday morning classes, and is fully operational at this time, except for the third-floor bathroom where the fire originated.”

Storage / Warehouse, Warehouse

Gold River, CA – Sprinkler system activated for early morning fire in warehouse; No injuries reported

Firefighters say an early morning warehouse fire in Gold River could have been much worse due to what was inside the building.

Metro Fire of Sacramento crews responded to the scene along Gold River Road a little after 3 a.m. Wednesday.

The fire was inside a warehouse but, luckily, the flames were being held in check by the sprinkler system.

No injuries were reported.

Due to the contents inside the building, and its proximity to a large storage facility, firefighters say the incident could have been a lot more significant if not for the sprinklers.

The fire won’t impact the business’ opening later in the morning.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Appleton, WI – Sprinkler system activated for building fire; No injuries reported

The Appleton Fire Department credits working fire alarms and sprinkler systems with limiting damage from a fire downtown Friday.

Firefighters were dispatched to a building in the 100 block of College Avenue around 10:30 p.m. by a fire alarm.

Fire crews faced heavy smoke and limited visibility but were able to bring the fire under control within five minutes thanks to the building’s sprinkler system.

Damage is estimated to be $35,000. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Portland, OR – Sprinkler system activated for overnight fire at business

An overnight fire in a Portland business was within by a bundle of towels and rags, Portland Fire & Rescue said.

Overnight, PF&R was called to a commercial fire at 5525 Southeast 26th Avenue. The original call was for a fire alarm with four firefighters responding.

After confirming water was flowing in the sprinklers and smoke was showing, the call was increased to a single alarm response. A total of 26 firefighters responded.

According to PF&R, the sprinkler system doused most of the fire and firefighters were able to extinguish the remaining flames.

The fire was within a bundle of towels and rags that officials were able to safely remove from the building.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Bishopville, SC – Sprinkler system activated for overnight fire at laundromat; No injuries reported

The Lee County Fire Department (LCFD) said crews battled an overnight fire at a laundromat in Bishopville early Monday morning.

At around 2:30 a.m., crews responded to a commercial fire alarm activation at Crown Laundry in Bishopville. Officials said the business was closed at the time of the fire.

Fire units found smoke coming from the facility and combatted the fire alongside the facility’s fire sprinkler system.

LCFD said no people were injured and found the fire started unintentionally in a laundry cart.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Madison, WI – Sprinkler system activated for fire in 6-story building

Crews were called to a fire at a Madison complex on Monday evening around 9:30pm.

Firefighters on Engine 3 responded to The Standard Madison apartment complex (1868 E. Washington Ave.), a mixed-use building. 911 was simultaneously alerted when the alarm monitoring company called in a water flow alarm and a resident said a fire alarm was sounding throughout the complex. It was upgraded to a full fire response after noticing heavy smoke coming from a bar that was under construction. They made entry and found a sprinkler was activated. Firefighters used a water can to complete extinguishment of the fire.

The building has businesses on the first level with apartments above.

It shows the importance of a working sprinkler system, even when a business is under construction.

“The sprinkler system did its job. The sprinkler head closest to the fire activated, contained the fire to the area of origin, notified the occupants of the building through the fire alarm system and notified Dane County 911 whom dispatched Madison Fire to the scene for final extinguishment and clean up.” said Fire Marshal Bill Sullivan.

The fire was caused by spontaneous combustion by improperly disposing of oil and stain-soaked clothing. No residents were displaced, and the other businesses were able to open as scheduled.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Almont, MI – Sprinkler system activated for fire at metal casting facility

A two-alarm fire in the Almont Industrial Park brought firefighters from two Lapeer County fire departments to Aristo-Cast Metal Investment Casting, Inc. Monday. The Almont Fire Department responded to the initial call at 7400 Research Drive in Almont and promptly requested mutual aid from the Imlay City Fire Department. Almont Fire Chief Don Smith said his department was called at 4 a.m. Monday morning. According to Chief Smith, one of the ovens used to melt wax pellets malfunctioned and caught fire. He said the company’s sprinkler system activated and likely saved the building from being destroyed. Chief Smith said around 3,000 gallons of water was used by the two departments, in addition to the sprinkler system. One employee was treated for minor smoke inhalation. Almont First Responders and Lapeer County EMS also responded to the fire. Chief Smith said units cleared the scene by 6 a.m. 

Apartment Building, Residential

Battle Creek, MI – Sprinkler system activated for fire at apartment complex

A fire ravaged three apartments in Battle Creek Saturday night, though the Battle Creek Fire Department confirmed there were no injuries.

According to reports by WZZM 13, the fire broke out at around 10:20 p.m. at an apartment building located at 111 West Street.

Upon arrival, smoke was observed in the hallway of the building.

The department’s investigation led to the discovery of a blaze that originated from a vent fan in a first-floor apartment, firefighters had to remove drywall from the ceiling to tackle the inferno.

“Crews pulled drywall from the ceiling to access the fire and put it out,” detailed the report by WZZM 13. The fire managed to extend its reach to the second floor, prompting the activation of a sprinkler system.

All residents were reported safe and, while the fire itself was contained, the aftermath saw disruption for the residents.

As noted by FOX 17, the American Red Cross stepped in to assist those who were unable to return to their apartments following the incident.

The repercussions of controlling the blaze included collateral damage; the apartments sustained fire-related harm and the water supply had to be cut to facilitate repairs of a damaged sprinkler reported MLive. Although the intrepid response from fire personnel contained the situation, residents faced the inconvenience of water outage.

The cause behind the harrowing event was identified as an “electrical shortage,” yet investigations continue, the Battle Creek Fire Department told reporters. The exact number of individuals displaced by the catastrophe has not been provided, but the quick response of emergency services prevented any physical injuries from being sustained.

Other - Residential, Residential

Marshalltown, IA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at veterans home; No injuries reported

The Marshalltown Fire Department was called to battle a small blaze on the fourth floor of the Dack Building on the Iowa Veterans Home campus Tuesday morning, but thankfully, no injuries were reported.

At 4:41 a.m., the MFD was dispatched to IVH for a fire alarm with smoke observed and sprinkler activation reported, according to a press release. Crews arrived to find light smoke and an active sprinkler in a room on the fourth floor of the Dack building.

One resident had been removed from the room prior to the fire department’s arrival. Residents were also evacuated from the wing and several rooms on the floor below.

Fire personnel, assisted by IVH staff, were able to control the sprinkler and did a brief overhaul of the room. It was found that a small fire involving an overheated electronic device as well as a basket, papers, and a window shade had set the sprinkler off and caused a moderate amount of smoke to spread throughout the wing.

Damage from the fire was contained to the room of origin however water from the sprinkler system contributed to damage on several floors. No injuries were reported. Fire personnel were on scene for approximately two hours and were assisted by the Marshalltown Police Department and IVH staff.

Mayor Joel Greer and Commandant Todd Jacobus were both highly complimentary of the fire department’s response to the situation, with Jacobus opining that the MFD “has a great team.” Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact the MFD at 641-754-5751.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Newark, DE – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at shopping center; No injuries reported

Fire damaged a recently renovated grocery store in Newark, filling the building with smoke and activating the sprinkler system late Sunday.

The fire was reported at approximately 10:45 p.m. at the Acme in The Grove at Newark, formerly known as College Square Shopping Center.

Firefighters arrived to find debris on fire in one of the aisles. The sprinkler system contained the fire, which was extinguished by firefighters.

The store was open at the time of the fire, but no one was injured.

Deputy Chief A.J. Schall said there was damage to one aisle and likely smoke and water damage throughout the store.

The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire, though reports from scene indicated that two juveniles ignited paper towels and then ran out of the store.

The fire came just weeks after Acme completed substantial renovations to the store, including new refrigerator cases, new flooring and a new floral department.

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