Tag Archives: Pennsylvania

Storage / Warehouse, Warehouse

Levittown, PA – Sprinkler system contains warehouse fire

A fire involving two pallets of wood triggered a sprinkler system at a local warehouse early Thursday morning.

Firefighters were dispatched to a business in the 5000 block of Bristol-Emilie Road shortly after 2 a.m. for a water flow alarm activation, according to Levittown Fire Company No. 2.

Crews used a key from a Knox box to enter the unoccupied industrial building.

Once inside the building, they encountered heavy smoke and an active sprinkler system that had successfully contained a blaze involving two pallets of wood pallets, the fire company said.

Bristol Township Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito said an investigation determined the wood had been slowly burning for some time.

According to Dippolito, the wood caught fire after being placed in a kiln. Company staff pulled out the wood, didn’t see any signs of fire, and left the facility around 1 a.m.

The wood ignited after the staff left and led to the fire call, Dippolito said.

Firefighters extinguished the remaining hot spots and ventilated the warehouse.

Levittown Fire Company No. 2 was assisted at the scene by the Edgely and Third District fire companies.

Apartment Building, Residential

Harborcreek Township, PA – Apartment fire quickly stopped by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A sprinkler system helped stop a fire quickly this morning in Harborcreek Township. Fire crews responded around 9 a.m. to an apartment in the 1100 block of Arnerman Court.

The fire was contained to a bedroom thanks to the apartment’s sprinkler system. No one was hurt, but a few residents are displaced, and the Red Cross is helping.

The fire chief reminds everyone to take extra precautions during cold weather to help firefighters respond quickly and safely.

James Hawryliw Fire Chief and EMT at Fairfield Hose Company VFD stated, “Always make sure your fire hydrants are clear of snow, so that when we arrive, if we need to access that hydrant, and also have a plan for this cold of weather.”

Other - Storage / Warehouse, Storage / Warehouse

Clearfield County, PA – Sprinkler system contains fire at Walmart distribution center

Emergency crews were called to the scene of the Walmart Distribution Center in Bradford Township, Clearfield County around 11:15 p.m. Friday evening.

According to the Lawrence Township Volunteer Fire Company, crews arrived at the scene to assist the BJW Volunteer Fire Company after a robotic machine had caught fire.

Emergency officials said crews were on scene for approximately one hour.

Officials also said that, after emergency crews cleared the scene, they were immediately paged back to the same location after another fire had broken out.

According to the Morris Township Volunteer Fire Company, the sprinkler system contained the second fire to the second and third floor racking systems, and crews were able to quickly extinguish the blaze.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Chambersburg, PA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at business; No injuries reported

Crews responded to a fire at a business in Franklin County early Thursday morning, according to emergency dispatch.

The fire broke out at Keystone Sheets, a manufacturing company in Chambersburg, at about 5:20 a.m.

The Greater Chambersburg Area Paid Fire Fighters Association stated that the building, located in the 1400 block of Nitterhouse Road, was evacuated after a machine inside the building caught on fire.

Once crews entered the structure, they worked to control the fire and secured the sprinkler system inside the business. At this time, the fire is under control, according to officials.

No road closures or injuries have been confirmed.

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.