Tag Archives: Oregon

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Fire sprinkler system suppresses elementary school fire (Milwaukie, OR)

Clackamas Fire Units were dispatched to Linwood Elementary School to a report of a fire in the building. Crews quickly arrived to find that a small fire had occurred in the bathroom and was quickly extinguished by the fire sprinkler system. All students made it out of the building safely and no injuries were reported. Clackamas Fire Investigators have determined that the fire was intentionally set. The fire damage in this case was limited due to the early detection and extinguishment by the fire sprinkler system that was in place.

Apartment Building, Residential

Fire extinguished by sprinkler system at apartment complex (Happy Valley, OR)

Firefighters are crediting a residential sprinkler system for putting out a two-alarm apartment fire. Brandon Paxton, Clackamas Fire District 1 spokesman, said the sprinklers in the Town Center Station Apartments worked so well that the fire already was out when firefighters arrived after receiving a 10:22 p.m. 9-1-1 call. Firefighters found combustible materials on a kitchen range that ignited when the stove was turned on accidentally. “The key here was early detection,” Paxton said. “The sprinkler system already in place did its job.” Paxton said the fire was contained to one apartment, but easily could have spread to other units if the sprinkler system hadn’t controlled it. No injuries were reported.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Fire contained by sprinklers at engineered wood products manufacturer (Medford, OR)

Sparks from a grinding operation started a fire that ignited in two connected sawdust bins at Boise Cascade. “Really the initial knockdown happened with the automatic sprinkler system,” said Arlen Blenkush, District No. 3 battalion chief. The fire was contained to the inside of the bins and did not damage the structure’s exterior.

Apartment Building, Residential

Cat survives apartment fire thanks to fire sprinkler system (Portland, OR)

Firefighters who responded to a southeast Portland apartment fire could hear screaming inside and see smoke seeping from under the door. So they kicked in the door and found — a cat.

Fire spokesman Ron Rouse says the cat — named Dude — was fine after the firefighters took him outside Wednesday evening and gave him some oxygen.

Rouse says the apartment resident had taken some warm clothes from the dryer and set them on a couch near some oily rags, then left the apartment. The spokesman says the combination of heat and the oily rags created spontaneous combustion. The apartment’s automatic sprinklers contained the fire to the couch.