Tag Archives: Pennsylvania

Apartment Building, Residential

Steelton, PA – Sprinkler system activated for early morning apartment fire; No injuries reported

An apartment fire broke out in Dauphin County early this morning.

Fire crews say the fire broke out at Steel Works Apartments on August 9 at around 4:30 a.m. in Steelton, Dauphin County.

“When we arrived on the scene, the smoke was coming from the third-floor apartment,” said Kyle Sultzaberger, Steelton’s battalion fire chief.

Crews investigating overnight fire in Adams County

George Drees, part of the Dauphin County fire investigation team, classified the fire as accidental.

“The origin of the fire was stove top unattended cooking,” Drees said.

While no one was hurt, there is some damage to the building which holds 42 apartments.

“There was seven people displaced, one child and six apartments affected,” Sultzaberger added.

Officials on scene say the situation could have been much worse if it wasn’t for the new construction, specifically the new sprinkler system.

“They’re quick acting sprinkler heads. So, when that sprinkler gets that right temperature and lets loose, it puts the water exactly across the room to put the fire out,” Drees said. “The heat sets off the sprinkler system fast. Works great.”

Other Dauphin County fire and emergency crews assisted in their response.

While some displaced residents are staying with family – the American Red Cross has assisted others with hotels while the scene gets cleaned up.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Scranton, PA – Fire at cafe held in check and extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A small fire in the basement of City Market & Cafe on Saturday morning caused a moderate to heavy smoke condition along with water damage, Acting Asst. Fire Chief Carl Megotz said.

Crews responded to the property at 300 Adams Ave. around 10 a.m. and found the fire was held in check and extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system, Megotz said. The business was able to remain open without disruption and no injuries were reported, he added.

Firefighters checked the building for extensions, performed overhaul and ventilated the basement for smoke, Megotz said.

Other - Retail, Retail

West Mifflin, PA – Sprinkler system activated for car fire in loading dock at Home Depot; No injuries reported

Pleasant Hills volunteer firefighters quickly knocked down a fire in the rear of the Home Depot in West Mifflin Sunday night.

Crews were called to the store around 11:30 p.m. and discovered a fire in the loading dock area, which was being kept in check by the sprinkler system. Firefighters extinguished the fire and assisted in closing off the sprinklers once it was out.

Firefighters said all employees were able to exit the building and no one was injured.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Huntingdon Valley, PA – Sprinkler system extinguishes kitchen fire at restaurant; No injuries reported

An oven fire at a restaurant and a vehicle rescue kept the Huntingdon Valley Fire Company busy on Tuesday.

The fire company was dispatched for an oven fire at La Voglia Restaurant on Byberry Road at 9:03 p.m. Tuesday.

Engine 8 reported the fire was extinguished by the kitchen sprinkler system, fire officials said.

Crews checked for extension and assisted with clean up in the kitchen. Additional units on scene included Squad 11, Ladder 95, and Medic 355.

There were no injuries and no damage to the rest of the restaurant.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Chambersburg, PA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at sheet manufacturing facility

A fire broke out Friday morning at a business in Franklin County.

Chambersburg Fire Department was dispatched at 9:58 a.m. to Keystone Sheets, 1465 Nitterhouse Drive, Chambersburg, according to a news release from the fire department. Staff reported that the dust collection system was on fire.

Firefighters arriving at the scene did not see anything on the building’s exterior, but inside they encountered flames in three pieces of machinery and the connected dust collection system.

The building’s sprinkler system prevented the fire from extending to the rest of the duct system and the building, the fire department said.

The fire was under control as of 10:35 a.m. Crews remained on the scene for about two hours to extinguish hot spots. The scene was cleared at 1 p.m.

The building remained under normal operation during the fire, however, the business temporarily shut down for clean-up and repairs to be completed.

Companies from throughout the county responded to the scene, including Franklin, Fayetteville, Marion, Letterkenny, New Franklin, Pleasant Hall and West End fire and EMS departments, and WellSpan Health EMS and the Franklin County Coroner’s Office rehab unit.

A voicemail message left at Keystone Sheets Monday was not immediately returned.

Keystone Sheets manufactures corrugated sheets, or cardboard used to make boxes and other packaging.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Erie, PA – Sprinkler system contains fire in building; No injuries reported

A fire broke out in the 200 block of West 9th Street overnight Monday.

Calls went out just after 2:40 a.m. on Monday for reported heavy smoke. Upon arrival, crews found a small fire which had been contained by the sprinkler system in the building.

Fire crews used fans to clear the building of the heavy smoke. Minimal damage was reported, and no one was injured.

Government/Military, Other-Government/Military

Allentown, PA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at courthouse

The Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown is shuttered on Wednesday due to, what officials called, “a minor fire.”

In an update to the county court’s website, officials said the courthouse– at 455 West Hamilton Street — would be closed for the day on Dec. 20, and all matters scheduled for the day would be rescheduled.

On Wednesday morning, Allentown Fire Department Captain John Christopher told NBC10 that a minor electrical fire in the supply room in the basement parking garage had caused the need for a closure.

The fire, he said, was knocked down by the building’s sprinkler system and electricity was shut off.

After services were shut down, he said, a decision was made to close the courthouse for the day in order to perform repairs.

The Historic Lehigh County Courthouse and Magisterial District Judge’s office will remain open, officials said.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Allison Park, PA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at high school

A fire broke out in a Hampton High School classroom early Friday morning.

According to a district spokesman, a small fire broke out in one of the science rooms, activating the fire alarm and sprinkler system.

First responders were called to the building, located at 2929 McCully Road, just before 5 a.m.

Channel 11′s Lonni Rivera is at the scene. She noticed fans outside the school, and it appears as though the building is being ventilated.

The sprinkler system was only activated in the area where the fire occurred and there was no extensive damage to any other classrooms, according to the district.

Students had the day off due to a scheduled professional development day for teachers and staff. That is being relocated to Hampton Middle School.

The district plans to clean up and prepare for students to return on Monday.

Food Processing, Manufacturing

Hershey, PA – Sprinkler system activated for electrical fire at Hershey factory; No injuries reported

The Hershey Company now confirms that a small electrical fire broke out in the Reese Factory Plant production area Sunday afternoon.

Staff reports that the fire activated the sprinkler system and Hershey Fire Department, who quickly came to extinguish the flames.

Press with the company state that all employees were evacuated and no injuries were reported.

The operations team is currently working to clean-up the scene, as production “will likely resume through the week.”

College/University (on campus), School / University

Erie, PA – Sprinkler system contains dryer fire at Great Lakes Institute of Technology

It was reported around 12:30 a.m. Thursday at 5100 Peach St.

Firefighters found heavy smoke throughout the building, which was unoccupied at the time, officials said.

A fire sprinkler system contained the fire within the room, but the building suffered extensive smoke and water damage, according tot he department.