Tag Archives: South Carolina

Department Store, Retail

Kingstree, SC – Department store sprinkler system kept fire in check; No injuries reported

A department store just north of Kingstree was damaged by fire Wednesday night but saved from destruction by its sprinkler system.

Williamsburg County firefighters were dispatched to the Roses Express at 7:55 p.m. and arrived to find heavy smoke and visible flames inside the retail area of the store, according to a release from the fire department.

The fire activated the store’s sprinkler system, which kept the fire in check until firefighters were able to extinguish it.

Firefighters needed approximately 15 minutes to control the blaze.

“There was no extension to the roof or to adjoining stores in the complex, but the store has extensive smoke and water damage to the contents,” according to the agency’s release.

Kingstree firefighters responded with mutual aid.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.

The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation by the fire department, Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office and SLED.

Apartment Building, Residential

James Island, SC – Kitchen apartment fire extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A fire that started in the kitchen of an apartment could’ve turned into something much worse without the help of a fire sprinkler.

The Charleston Fire Department said on Friday they received an automatic fire alarm activation from The Standard Apartments on James Island.

Firefighters saw an apartment with light smoke and a fire sprinkler spraying water. They entered the apartment and found an already extinguished fire near the stove.

“Multiple life safety strategies worked together to protect our residents and our first responders,” said Chief Fire Marshal Mike Julazadeh. “The fire sprinkler system activated to confine the fire, the fire alarm system provided automatic notification to the tenants and alerted 911, and the fire department arrived to contain and control the incident. There were no injuries and the building returned to use almost immediately.”

Investigators determined the stove was left on and the combustible material on the stove started the fire.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Hodges, SC – Fire sprinkler system puts out fire at pet food plant; No injuries reported

No one was injured Wednesday morning after a fire sparked in one of the storage silos at the Diana Pet Food plant in Hodges, according to Greenwood County Fire Chief Steve Holmes.

Holmes said the fire sparked inside the silo, with the damage contained mostly to the product stored there. The plant’s fire suppression systems worked as intended, putting the fire out without anyone being injured.

Firefighters arrived on scene and verified the fire was out and the sprinkler system was reset properly, Holmes said.

A representative from Diana Pet Food could not immediately be reached for comment.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Kiawah Island, SC – Hotel kitchen fire contained by fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

Firefighters are crediting a fire sprinkler for containing a fire in a hotel room that could’ve turned out much worse.

According to the St. Johns Fire District, they responded to a possible structure fire at 300 Farm Lake View, at the Andell Inn Hotel.

The fire alarm came from a third-floor hotel room, officials said.

Upon arriving, the fire sprinkler was going off and containing the fire to the kitchen area. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames.

According to the St. Johns Fire District, they responded to a possible structure fire at 300 Farm Lake View, at the Andell Inn Hotel.

The fire alarm came from a third-floor hotel room, officials said.

Upon arriving, the fire sprinkler was going off and containing the fire to the kitchen area. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames.

“Without the fire sprinkler system, we would have had a substantial fire event and possible injuries to hotel occupants,” said Fire Chief Colleen Walz. “The fire sprinkler system was part of the critical life safety components of this building. In this case, a single fire sprinkler head operated and controlled the fire event until the fire department could arrive and mitigate any remaining hazards. Management is working to repair water damage and restore minimal smoke and fire damage.”

After reviewing the scene, fire investigators said the fire started near a microwave. The cause is still under investigation

Two firefighters were transported to a local hospital for possible dehydration and heat exhaustion. No other injuries were reported.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

North Charleston, SC – Hotel fire sprinkler extinguished cooking fire; No injuries reported

The North Charleston Fire Department (NCFD), St. Andrews Fire Department, and Charleston County EMS on Wednesday responded to a hotel on the 4800 block of Rivers Avenue for an active fire alarm.

Crews arrived shortly after 2:21 p.m. and were advised that the fire was on the second floor.

Upon locating the room, firefighters discovered that a fire sprinkler “had activated and extinguished a cooking fire.”

After ensuring that the fire was extinguished, crews “controlled the sprinkler system and started salvage operations on the first floor to reduce damage.” They also used ventilation fans to remove smoke.

No injuries were reported, and the occupants of the room were relocated.

Following the incident, NCFD is reminding the public of these facts:

  • Ninety percent of fires are contained by the operation of just one sprinkler.
  • A home with smoke alarms and fire sprinklers reduces the risk of death in a home fire by 82%, relative to having neither, according to Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition.
  • Home fire sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive on the scene.
  • Modern residential sprinklers are inconspicuous and can be mounted flush with walls or ceilings.
  • Fire sprinklers save lives, reduce property loss and can even help cut homeowner insurance premiums.
  • Nationally, on average, home fire sprinklers cost $1.35 per square foot of sprinklered space in new construction.
Other - School / University, School / University

Charleston, SC – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire in barracks at The Citadel; No injuries reported

Charleston County dispatch shows a reported fire at the Citadel.

The call came in at around 6:29 pm on Sunday, August 23.

Citadel officials say the fire was caused by an air conditioning unit that is above one of the barracks on campus.

The barracks were evacuated.

The fire caused the school’s sprinkler system to activate, which took care of the fire.

Officials say no one was injured during the fire.

Apartment Building, Residential

Jasper County, SC – Apartment kitchen fire on third-floor extinguished by fire sprinklers

Jasper County Fire Rescue is reminding the public of the benefits of having a sprinkler system after a sprinkler extinguished an apartment fire.

Fire officials say at 8 p.m. on June 16, crews were dispatched to the Brook Mill Apartments for a structure fire. When firefighters arrived, they found a kitchen fire in a third floor apartment had been extinguished by the sprinkler system.

JCFR says the sprinkler put out the fire before it spread to the entire apartment.

Automatic fire sprinklers reduce the risk of dying in a fire by 80%, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. To learn more about sprinklers, click here.

Apartment Building, Residential

Columbia, SC – Sprinkler system stops fifth-floor apartment kitchen fire; No injuries reported

A representative of the Housing Authority in Columbia reported water damage resulting from a fire in a fifth floor unit at a senior apartment building caused the evacuation of residents early Saturday evening.

Cynthia Hardy said a small kitchen fire occurred in a resident’s apartment at Arrington Manor, at the corner of College and Oak streets near Five Points, around 7 p.m. June 27, 2020. 

“Damage from the fire at the independent senior living facility was minimal, but the building sustained a lot of water damage,” Hardy said. “For safety precautions, fire department officials suggested shutting the building down, turning off the power, and relocating the residents while they restore the building.”

No injuries were reported and all 57 residents were relocated to area hotels and are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

Columbia Housing CEO Ivory Mathews said, “when the sprinkler system in a residential building of that size is triggered, there are restoration and inspection steps performed by third party entities that must occur before re-occupancy is granted. Third party includes water damage restoration contractor, electrician, sprinkler system contractor, Dominion Energy and the Columbia Fire Dept. We anticipate the restoration and inspections work to be completed within 3 days.”

According to Housing Authority’s property directory, Arrington Manor was last renovated in August 1979 and opened for occupancy in 1981. The six-story apartment building features 14 efficiency apartments, 29 one-bedroom apartments and 13 two-bedroom apartments.

Apartment Building, Residential

Charleston, SC – Apartment kitchen fire controlled by fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

The Charleston Fire Department (CFD), James Island Fire Department, Charleston County EMS, and Charleston Police Department responded to a fire at the 35 Folly Luxury Apartment building just before 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

According to CFD, dispatch was alerted to the fire by an automatic fire alarm as well as a 911 call from a resident. Crews responded within four minutes of the call.

Upon arrival, firefighters “encountered light smoke and searched the building.” They discovered that a small fire originated in the kitchen of an apartment, and was put out by the sprinkler system. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters “verified the fire had been extinguished, controlled the water to the system, and ventilated the smoke from the building.”