Residential, Residential High Rise Waikiki, HI – Sprinkler system contained fire to one unit in 38-story high rise fire; No injuries reported November 22, 2018 viking210 The Honolulu Fire Department says an automated fire sprinkler system stopped the flames from spreading in a blaze at a high-rise in Waikiki late Friday night. Firefighters responded to a blaze around 10:50 p.m. and no injuries were reported. Some 22 personnel responded to the 38-story Waikiki Baynan complex on Ohua Avenue. HFD credits an automated fire sprinkler system with containing the flames to the original unit on the 30th floor of the building. Hundreds were evacuated after the fire broke out. “It was pretty orderly. We just went to the fire exit and opened the door and joined the crowd and walked down the stairs,” resident Sheila Palmer said. It took firefighters less than 40 minutes to completely extinguish the flames. “One adult male and female were alerted to the fire by an audible pop and the activation of a smoke alarm. They safely escaped the unit without injuries,” HFD officials said. “Another adult male was not in the unit at the time of the fire.” Meanwhile, fire officials spoke to condo owners and building managers Saturday about the city’s new fire safety ordinance, which passed this May. It’s a measure intended to avoid deadly fires like the one that broke out in the Marco Polo building in July of 2017. “The ordinance is very important,” said Kevin Mokulehua, who works for HFD. “We want everyone to remain focused on the intent of having sprinklers: it’s going to save lives; they’re going to save property; and they’re going to allow occupants to get out of a building if there is a fire.” There are exceptions to the ordinance, but most high-rise residential buildings would need to be retro-fitted with automatic sprinkler systems. “One of our buildings is below the high-rise standard and one of our buildings is above the high-rise standard so it needs to have those laws applied,” said Thomas Ebner, manager for the Ka Hale Moi condominiums. He knows just how costly adding sprinklers can be, but agrees with the ordinance. “The association will have to cover that I am sure, it’s all for the better,” Ebner said. “You need to make sure that everybody is very happy and very safe.” Fire investigators say Friday’s fire was accidental, sparked by an electrical electrical failure in the microwave. Total damages to the building and its contents were estimated at $320,000. “HFD would like to encourage our visitors and residents to discuss and practice their fire evacuation plans. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” officials added.
Other Business Charleston, WV – Sprinkler system helps contain fire caused by laser cutter at small business November 19, 2018 viking210 Crews were on the scene last Monday night of a fire caused by a laser cutter, South Charleston firefighters say. It happened just before 8:30 p.m. at a small business in the 1700 block of Union Carbide Drive. Crews were on the scene a little more than 20 minutes. The fire activated the sprinkler system at the business. No one was hurt
Hotel / Motel, Other Business Las Vegas, NV – Overnight fire in hotel-casino’s ice cream shop is held in check by sprinkler system November 19, 2018 viking210 1 Comment Las Vegas Fire and Rescue responded to the California hotel-casino early Thursday morning after a fire started inside an ice cream shop. According to LVFR, firefighters arrived at the California hotel in downtown Las Vegas at 1:14 a.m. after a fire sprinkler was activated and smoke alarms went off inside the hotel’s ice cream shop, located on the second floor. Firefighters noticed the flames were on the front counter display cooler unit and had been doused by the automatic sprinkler system, fire officials said. Once the fire was completely out, firefighters turned off the sprinklers to prevent any additional water damage. Hotel housekeeping and maintenance worked with firefighters to help with water cleanup, according to LVFR. Investigators believe the fire started inside the cooler unit and was “electrical in nature,” LVFR said. The damage from the fire was contained to the front counter. Damage costs were estimated at $25,000 and the front counter will likely have to be replaced entirely, according to fire officials. Because the fire was contained within the ice cream shop, guests at the California hotel did not have to evacuate. No injuries were reported. Firefighters left the scene by 3 a.m. “The fire sprinkler quickly kept the situation in check until firefighters arrived on scene and kept damage to a minimum as well as operations on the property were not impacted,” Tim Szymanski, LVFR’s public information officer, said.
Other Business Lincoln, NE – Fire in crowded theater is put out by sprinkler system; No injuries reported November 18, 2018 viking210 Authorities say officers helped evacuate audience members after a small fire broke out at a downtown Lincoln concert venue. Someone knocked over a container of kerosene while performing with fire around 10 p.m. Thursday at the Bourbon Theatre. The flames set off a fire sprinkler, which doused the blaze. Lincoln Fire & Rescue Department spokeswoman Nancy Crist says police helped evacuate the large crowd that had gathered for the headline act, K Camp. No injuries have been reported. K Camp’s concert was soon canceled. Crist says the performer using fire didn’t have authorization to perform with it at the theater. Damage was estimated at $1,000.
Restaurant Kingstowne, VA – Sprinkler system puts out overnight restaurant fire November 6, 2018 viking210 Sprinklers put out a fire overnight on Wednesday, Oct. 31 at a Kingstowne Towne Center restraurant, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue. The fire department did not name the restaurant involved. Around 2:11 a.m., Fairfax County and Alexandria firefighters responded to the 5900 block of Kingstowne Center in the one-story commercial building. Units found smoke in the building and that the sprinkler system had already extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The fire department was notified by the fire alarm system. Fire investigators say the cause was combustibles too close to a heat source in the kitchen. Damages are estimated to be $3,000.
Restaurant Boothbay Harbor, ME – Sprinkler system assists firefighters in controlling overnight restaurant fire November 1, 2018 viking210 Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay and Southport fire departments responded to a sprinkler alarm and a call about smoke coming from the back of the House of Pizza in the Meadow Mall on Rt. 27/Townsend Avenue at 3:25 a.m. <Tuesday> morning. Boothbay Harbor Fire Chief Nick Upham said that when crews arrived, sprinklers were active, a fire was forming on the back wall and smoke was filling the restaurant. Upham said the cause of the fire was undoubtedly electrical, with damage resulting to the back wall and water damage throughout. A clean-up crew has been working this morning at the restaurant and it is uncertain when the restaurant will open again. This story will be updated.
Apartment Building, Residential Bryan, TX – Sprinkler system activates in early morning apartment fire; No injuries reported October 27, 2018 viking210 Downtown Bryan residents are back in their homes after the sprinkler system was set off early <last> Tuesday morning. Just before 5 a.m. Bryan firefighters were called to the 200 Block of S Main Street for reports of a fire on the second story of the apartment building. Firefighters responded to the building which houses the Bistro on Main and Ed’s Bookstore. All residents of the three story building were evacuated for a short time but were eventually allowed to return. According to BFD, no one was hurt, but there is some smoke and water damage to the building. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Residents told KBTX they believe someone may have left their stove on.
College/University (on campus), Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential Starkville, MS – Sprinkler system activates in on-campus dorm room fire; No injuries reported October 26, 2018 viking210 Mississippi State University officials say no one was hurt by a fire in a dormitory room. The fire happened Sunday night on the third floor of Oak Hall on the Starkville campus. The university said in a news release Monday that in addition to damage in the room where the fire occurred, about 30 other rooms were damaged. The sprinkler system activated. About 60 students were displaced, and the university is providing temporary housing in a hotel. The university says an electrical fire is thought to have ignited some bed linens. The state fire marshal is investigating.
Residential, Single Family Home Rohnert Park, CA – Sprinkler system credited with keeping house fire from spreading October 24, 2018 viking210 One person was treated Saturday night for smoke inhalation suffered in a house fire that firefighters said was partially doused by the house’s sprinkler system. The fire was reported about 10 p.m. Saturday in the University District subdivision, Rohnert Park Fire Cmdr. Aaron Johnson said in a statement. Smoke was seen coming from the garage there. Firefighters arrived to see the sprinklers working. The fire, in the corner of the garage, was contained in about 10 minutes, Johnson said. The house’s sprinkler system is credited with keeping the fire from spreading. One resident of the house was treated for minor smoke inhalation, Johnson said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Apartment Building, Residential Vallejo, CA – No injuries in middle-of-night apartment fire contained by sprinkler system October 23, 2018 viking210 More than 40 people were displaced after a major fire broke out early Saturday at a four-story apartment building in downtown Vallejo, officials said. The blaze struck about 12:30 a.m. at a building on the 500 block of Georgia Street called Kimberly Apartments, according to the Vallejo Fire Department. There were no injuries. The fire was quickly contained to one of the units in the building, officials said. The building’s sprinkler system activated in the fire, the Fire Department said. Crews remained on scene throughout the morning to douse any hot spots. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. shut down the gas and electrical power to the building. The structure is red-tagged — meaning tenants may not return to their units — until repairs are completed, the Fire Department said. The Red Cross provided temporary housing vouchers to the displaced residents, officials said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
