Tag Archives: North Dakota

Other Business, Recycling / Waste Facility

Fargo, ND – Fire at recycling facility contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A fire leaving a road in Downtown Fargo partially closed down Tuesday afternoon.

Fargo Firefighters responded to a blaze at Minnkota Recycling at around 12:30 p.m. Officials say the fire began inside a cardboard compactor, then spread to cardboard material outside.

The building’s sprinkler system kept the fire contained to that area, but as of 2 p.m. crews were still working to put it out.

4th Avenue North was closed down at 10th Street North due to the flames and crews working the scene.

No injuries have been reported.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Minot, ND – Fire sprinkler contains small hotel fire to one room

Minot Fire crews responded to a hotel in south Minot Friday.

A fire alarm went off on the second floor of the Comfort Inn and Suites South Broadway location just after 7 a.m. The Minot Fire Department found a small fire in an unoccupied room. 

Firefighters said the sprinkler in the room kept the fire contained.

The cause is under investigation.

Other - Retail, Retail

Grand Forks, ND – Boiler room fire put out by fire sprinkler systems

An early morning run for members of the Grand Forks Fire Department. Five engine companies and a ladder truck rolled around 3:30 a.m. to the Wood Products building on South 46th Street.

When crews arrived they discovered smoke in a boiler room. Hot embers in a dust hopper used for fueling the boiler activated the sprinkler system which extinguished the flames. Firefighters working the scene also knocked down some small embers. No structural damage was reported. Crews were on the scene for about two hours monitoring for hot spots. The cause is under investigation.

Apartment Building, Residential

Fargo, ND – Apartment sprinkler system extinguishes fire

At 12:06 a.m. Sunday morning, Fargo firefighters were called to a report of a structure fire at 414 11th St N.  Upon arrival, firefighters found an apartment unit filled with smoke.  The building’s fire sprinkler system had activated and extinguished the fire.  The apartment’s occupant had safely evacuated before the fire department’s arrival.

The fire was contained to a mattress and bed coverings.  The sprinkler system prevented the fire from spreading to any other parts of the apartment unit or building.  Water from the extinguishment did effect several other units in the building.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation.  An initial damage estimate is not known at this time.

Parking Garage

Fargo, ND – Parking garage fire sprinklers keep fire contained after vehicle catches on fire; No injuries reported

The Fargo Fire Department was able to contain a vehicle fire Friday at a downtown parking garage.

Around 12:45 p.m. the Fargo Fire Department responded to a report of a vehicle on fire inside the multi-level parking garage located on the 600 block of  2nd Ave. North.

The first two units arrived on the scene within 2 minutes of being dispatched and located a vehicle on fire on the fifth floor of the garage.  Crews worked to extinguish the fire with the help of the building’s sprinkler system that had two heads activate above the vehicle.

The sprinkler system helped keep the fire contained to the original vehicle, there were no injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time.

Responders were delayed by a vehicle parked in front of a fire hydrant and one vehicle driving over a fire hose.

The Fargo Fire Department would like to remind the public that it is illegal to drive over a fire hose when it is stretched out on the street.  This causes damage to the hose and places crews relying on the hose in danger if it fails.  They also ask to refrain from parking in front of fire hydrants. It causes delays in establishing a water supply for fire suppression operations.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Wahpeton, ND – Fire at sugarbeet factory contained thanks to fire sprinklers

Fire departments from Dwight, Wahpeton, and Breckenridge put out a fire at the Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative Sugarbeet Plant just north of Wahpeton Tuesday morning.

Dwight Fire Chief Andy Gregor told KFGO News firefighters responded about 5:30 a.m. to the fire in the boiler building, the highest part of the factory. Sprinklers helped contain the fire inside. Firefighters used hoses to put out the fire on the building’s roof.

A statement from the cooperative said damage appears to be superficial and normal operations have resumed.

Richland County Sheriff Larry Leshovsky says there were two minor injuries to employees but no hospitalization was required.

Apartment Building, Residential

Bismarck, ND – Sprinkler system suppress third-floor fire at housing development for the homeless; No injuries reported

A small fire in a third-floor apartment prompted the evacuation of Edwinton Place, a housing development for the homeless in south Bismarck.

Firefighters responded to the 40-unit, four-story building shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday. The building’s fire sprinkler system had suppressed the fire, and firefighters put it out with a handheld extinguisher.

Residents were allowed to return. No injuries were reported. There was moderate fire and smoke damage to the interior of the apartment with the fire, authorities said.

Firefighters completed an investigation into the cause of the fire and forwarded the case to police. The fire department didn’t release the cause.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Fargo, ND – Fire at nursing home contained thanks to fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

A fire burned through the roof of a Fargo nursing home on Thursday, forcing the evacuation of about 115 residents, authorities said. No injures were reported.

Some residents of a south side Fargo nursing home were moved to an adjoining chapel Thursday afternoon while fire crews battled a blaze that started in the attic area. Elim Campus Pastor David Juve told KFGO radio that state officials will coordinate the eventual move of the displaced residents to temporary facilities.

The fire at the Elim Rehab and Care Center was called in about 3:15 p.m.. Witnesses say flames were shooting from the roof and smoke could be seen from several blocks away.

Authorities say natural gas fed the flames until the gas was shut off. Fargo Fire Chief Steve Dirksen credited a sprinkler system and fire doors for helping to contain the fire.

The investigation into the fire could take some time, Dirksen said.

Other - Residential, Residential

Grand Forks, ND – Kitchen fire put out by fire sprinklers at group home; No injuries reported

Six people have been forced out of their homes after a kitchen fire broke out in a Grand Forks REM house, how long is uncertain.

Fire broke out this morning around 9 at 415 N. 51 St.

By the time crews got to the scene, a sprinkler system had put out the bulk of the fire.

Investigators are still trying to figure out what caused the fire.

The kitchen has moderate smoke and fire damage.

No one was hurt.

Apartment Building, Residential

Fargo, ND – Sprinkler system extinguishes fifth floor apartment fire

Fargo firefighters responded to a report of fire alarms sounding at 400 Broadway this afternoon.  On arrival, firefighters found smoke coming out of an apartment window on the fifth floor.  Upon entry to the apartment, firefighters found the sprinkler system in operation and the fire extinguished.  The tenant had safely evacuated the apartment prior to the fire department’s arrival.  One cat was located in the apartment and returned to the tenant. 

Due to the sprinkler activation, fire damage was limited.  Several apartments sustained water damage but the management company had a contractor on scene to begin cleanup before firefighters departed.  A monetary damage estimate is not available at this time.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.  The Fargo Fire Department responded with a full dispatch of 16 personnel on 4 engines, 1 ladder truck, and 1 command vehicle.  The Fargo Police Department and FM Ambulance also responded and assisted with the scene.

A fire sprinkler system can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive.