Tag Archives: Tennessee

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Franklin, TN – Sprinkler system controls fire at manufacturing facility; No injuries reported

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The Franklin Fire Department (FFD) said crews extinguished a fire at a manufacturing facility Sunday afternoon.

FFD said firefighters responded to Superior Essex at 120 Southeast Parkway just after noon Sunday.

When they arrived, firefighters found smoke coming from the roof of the 320,000-square-foot industrial building that manufactures magnet wire, FFD said.

Battalion Chief Tyler Crews said the fire originated in machinery and was contained to the equipment and a three-story vent tower that extended to the roof.

“Crews said the fire was partially controlled with the help of the building’s automatic fire sprinkler system,” FFD said.

Several FFD crews were dispatched to the scene due to the size of the facility. FFD said two tower trucks, two ladder trucks, three engines, a rescue truck, an air truck, a battalion chief and two district captains responded to the fire along with the Franklin Police Department and Williamson Health EMS

FFD said responders were on scene for about two hours.

“Crews said power was restored to approximately half of the building, and a limited number of employees were permitted to return to work in the front portion of the facility,” FFD said.

No injuries were reported in the fire, and the cause has not been determined.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Lawrenceburg, TN – Fire at hotel contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Lawrenceburg Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at the Best Western Plus on Sunday, December 14, at 11:00 p.m. Upon arrival, crews found active fire in the pool mechanical room. The building’s fire sprinkler system contained the fire, preventing it from spreading.

Lawrenceburg Police assisted with evacuating hotel occupants, while fire crews extinguished the fire and ventilated the area. Investigators determined the blaze was caused by a pool heater pump catching fire. No injuries were reported, and guests were allowed to return to their rooms.

The department highlighted the incident as a clear example of the importance of maintaining fire alarm and sprinkler systems, which can alert occupants early and limit damage.

Apartment Building, Residential

Chattanooga, TN – Fire caused by candle extinguished by sprinkler system

“Another fire caused by a candle!” 

The Chattanooga Fire Department is once again reminding residents about candle safety after a small fire at an apartment Sunday morning.

Crews responded around 11:19am to the Borough 33 Apartments on Bexley Square.

The sprinkler system extinguished the flames, but firefighters worked to remove water from the structure in an effort to minimize damage.

CFD said that you should extinguish all candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.

“To practice candle safety, keep flames at least 12 inches from flammable materials,” CFD said. “Always supervise burning candles and place them on a stable, heat-resistant, flat surface away from drafts and high-traffic areas.”

Storage / Warehouse, Warehouse

Knoxville, TN – Sprinkler system controls fire at mattress factory

This morning, a triggered fire alarm called the Knoxville Fire Department to Brothers Bedding on North Broadway. The firefighters, arriving at the scene around 4:40 AM, encountered more than blaring sirens. A social media post shared by the Knoxville Fire Department revealed that crews discovered a sprinkler system actively dousing a small fire upon entry.

Located on the second floor near a window, the brief fire had started to leave its mark on the establishment. Found near a window on the second floor, the sprinkler system had managed to keep the fire at bay until firefighters arrived. With the fire extinguished, authorities reported only moderate damage to the store, a testament to the swift response of emergency services and the efficacy of the sprinkler system already in place.

The effectiveness of the sprinkler system in this incident highlights the critical role such systems play in fire safety. According to the official post by KFD, the sprinklers successfully activated and helped control the fire before it could escalate, preventing what could have been a more severe situation.

Apartment Building, Residential

Collegedale, TN – Sprinkler system extinguished fire at apartment complex

A sprinkler system prevented a major fire at an apartment complex in Collegedale Sunday, May 5.

The Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department says they were dispatched to Hawthorne at the Summit apartments around 4:30pm after a fire alarm was activated.

When crews arrived, they discovered that an unattended candle caught a towel on fire inside one of the units, which activated the sprinkler system.

The fire was out before firefighters even made it on scene.

Flames were contained to the bathroom. Two apartments sustained water damage from the sprinkler.

Apartment Building, Residential

Spring Hill, TN – Sprinkler system holds fire in check at early afternoon apartment fire

Spring Hill Fire Department responded to a reported apartment fire early Saturday afternoon.

The fire was contained to the balcony of the affected unit. Investigation found that discarded smoking materials in a flowerpot started the fire which spread to a plastic rocking chair.

Fire was held in check by the sprinkler system until SHFD Units arrived to complete the extinguishment.

No extension into the building or other hazards were found.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Memphis, TN – Sprinkler system contains arson fire at Walmart

An intentional fire set inside a Memphis Walmart caused nearly $2 million in content loss, the Memphis Fire Department said.

On Sunday, the MFD responded to a fire at the Walmart on Austin Peay Highway at 3:11 p.m.

Qwanesha Ward of the MFD said that the fire was intentionally set on Aisle 18 near the electronics department and was contained by the store’s sprinkler system.

However, the fire still led to $1.8 million in content loss and $10,000 in building loss. The store has smoke and water damage.

MFD said that the store will likely be closed until the end of the week.

Apartment Building, Residential

Spring Hill, TN – Sprinkler system activated for fire at apartment complex

The Spring Hill Fire Department responded swiftly and effectively to a morning fire at a third-floor apartment at Worthington Glen Apartments, where they rescued a dog and two cats. Thanks to the rapid response and the assistance of the sprinkler system, the fire was contained, preventing any casualties.

The fire was dispatched at 11:21am Monday morning, fortunately, broke out while no residents were present in the apartment. However, the presence of beloved pets left behind prompted firefighters to take immediate action to ensure their safety. Firefighters managed to locate and safely evacuate the pets, much to the relief of the owners.

The sprinkler system played a crucial role in containing the fire, minimizing its spread to neighboring units. While the third-floor apartment sustained fire damage, the lower apartments experienced water damage as a result of the sprinkler system’s activation. Damage to the building is estimated to be around $150,000. The Fire Marshal determined one of the cats possibly turned the stove on and started the fire.

Worthington Glen is taking proactive measures to assist affected residents. Management is relocating residents to other available apartments within the complex to ensure their comfort and safety while repairs are underway.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Murfreesboro, TN – Sprinkler system activated for fire in hotel mechanical room

Around 7:32AM Sunday (9/24/2023) morning, Murfreesboro Fire-Rescue was called to Clarion Inn and Suites at 2270 Old Fort Parkway about a fire in the hotel’s mechanical room. There was smoke in the lobby’s atrium when the first responders entered the building. 

According to officials with Murfreesboro Fire-Rescue, the sprinkler system worked perfectly, and it came on and put-out the fire.

Firefighters used fans to clear smoke from the building.

A few guests in the immediate area were briefly evacuated until it was safe to return to their rooms.
A firefighter was injured at the scene when stepping into a hole and injuring her ankle. As a precaution, she was taken to the hospital, treated and released. Since there was a minor injury to a firefighter, the Fire Marshal’s office is investigating.
WGNS thanks fire crews with District 11, District 9, District 4, District 1, Battalion Chiefs 1 & 2, and Safety officers 1 & 2 who assisted with the fire. Also, thanks to Murfreesboro Police as well as Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services for making certain all was fine at the Clarion Inn and Suites.
Apartment Building, Residential

Nashville, TN – Sprinkler system extinguishes kitchen fire on apartment building 27th floor; No injuries reported

The Nashville Fire Department (NFD) said 350 units were displaced after a fire broke out at a downtown apartment complex on Sunday morning.

NFD said a kitchen fire started on the 27th floor of the 505 apartment complex. The sprinkler in the unit put the fire out, however, the water caused the unit to flood and created another electrical fire.

“A resident had placed a wicker basket on a stove that had burned, and their sprinkling system did activate so that fire was technically out upon arrival of our crews, but that water had begun to flow throughout that unit and the floor, because of the sprinkler activation,” Kendra Loney with NFD said.

Firefighters said the water poured into an electrical room and sparked another fire on the 24th floor.

“There were multiple fires that started throughout the building, and they had to be put out, the sprinkler system did what it was set to do, but water and electricity just don’t work,” Loney said.

NFD said 528 units were evacuated. the unit the fire started in is significantly damaged and several units have water damage.

“Honestly we thought it was like one of those drills,” said Eya Dufresne, a 505 resident. “I woke up to the fire department knocking on our door and saying you have to be evacuated. We had like what felt like minutes to be out.”

Dufresne and her boyfriend Chris Clark had to rush out of their 26th-floor apartment at 505 Church Street.

“We had 52 flights of stairs to go down and we had to bring our 40-pound dog down,” Clark said.

Even though Clark and Dufresne brought their dog down, they had one other worry.

“I’m a little nervous, we brought our dog down, but we left our cat,” Dufresne said.

While firefighters worked to make sure that some of the units were safe to re-enter, Dufresne prayed for her cat, Pluto.

“Things could come and go, but as long as Pluto is okay, we’ll be fine,” Dufresne said.

NFD said no one in the building was hurt. People living on floors 30 through 45 were able to go back inside, but those living on floors 3 through 29 were not let back inside and NFD said it could be a couple of days before they can return.

NFD added that floors 3 through 29 will remain without power and that the building remains on a fire watch.

Reporting on lives and property saved by fire sprinklers