Tag Archives: Texas

Apartment Building, Residential

Grapevine, TX – (No media coverage) Apartment fire caused by unattended cooking doused by sprinkler system

***No media coverage – Fire Department reported*** On October 1st, 2017 at 03:32 the Grapevine Fire Department was dispatched to the Montelena Apartments at 501 Turner street #622 for an alarm activation. The first on-scene fire crews arrived to find audible fire alarms activating with nothing showing. Apartment #622 on the second level was investigated and fire crews found a single side wall sprinkler head had activated and extinguished a fire on the stove. The cause of the fire was from unattended cooking. There was fire damage to kitchen cabinets around the stove and smoke damage to the ceiling above the stove. The single sprinkler head contained, extinguished the fire; saving lives and property on the same floor and below. Even though the fire alarms had sounded, residences in the affected fire apartment were still in their bedroom. Fire damages were estimated around at $4000 saving and protecting a property valued $33,450,000.

The numbers are accurate for repairs and value of building. The contents of the apartment was estimated on renters insurance of $10,000

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Tyler, TX – Sprinkler system helps contain electrical fire at Golden Corral; No injuries reported

The smell of smoke was in the air Wednesday, and a portion of the west side of Tyler’s Golden Corral building near the roof showed where a fire had burned the night before. An exterior door and some windows were also boarded up.

The Tyler Fire Department received the call shortly before 11:30 p.m. Tuesday that heavy smoke and flames were coming from the restaurant at 5602 S. Broadway Ave. Firefighters reported smoke and flames when they got to the scene, but got the fire under control.

A total of four engine companies, two ladder companies, an investigator and a District Chief were dispatched to Golden Corral, according to the Tyler Fire Department news release.

Units were cleared from the incident at 1:05 a.m.

Investigators determined the fire started near the southwest corner of the building in the exterior eave. Fire officials said the only ignition source in that area is lights. Fire investigators noted that the breaker controlling the lights had been tripped, and that an electrician had recently worked on the lights.

Most of the fire damage was to the outside of the building, with smoke and light fire damage to the interior.

The inside of restaurant sustained water damage from the building’s fire sprinkler system as well as from the firefighters putting out the blaze.

No injuries were reported.

The restaurant will be closed for at least three or four days for repairs and cleaning.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

McKinney, TX – Sprinkler system prevents major damage to animal shelter; All animals safe

McKinney Fire Department (MFD) responded to an incident Sept. 28 at The Collin County Animal Shelter, 4750 Community Ave, just after 5:00 p.m. First responders upon arrival noted the fire alarm was sounding and strobes activated.

The investigation revealed the fire sprinkler system had activated and extinguished the fire within the shelter. A single sprinkler head is credited for the minimal fire damage and reinforced the value of fire sprinkler systems. Shelter staff reported no injuries to the 124 sheltered animals.

Approximately 26 MFD personnel and investigators from the Fire Marshal’s office responded to the fire. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

“This successful sprinkler save continues to demonstrates the effectiveness of automatic fire sprinkler systems in a commercial environment. Had a fire sprinkler system not been present, the outcome may have been very different,” said Deputy Fire Marshal Andrew Barr.

For additional information on fire protection systems, code requirements or other fire prevention topics, visit www.mckinneyfire.org or call 972-547-2862.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Houston, TX – Fire on 26th floor of high-rise apartment building controlled by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A two-alarm high-rise apartment fire blocked Weslayan and West Alabama for nearly two hours Saturday evening. The fire was the result of a kitchen fire on the 26th floor of the 40-story building.  The problem was a faulty stove with what was described as a leaking gas valve, Houston Fire Department said. A sprinkler system in the apartment was activated and firefighters did the rest, including capping the leaking valve. Damage was reported to that unit, smoke damage next door, as well as that from water used to put out the fire.

According to the deputy fire chief on scene, apartments one floor above and beneath the unit where the fire was reported were evacuated. The rest of the building was not affected and was not alerted, but some residents were called by friends who saw the firetrucks surrounding the building. One woman walked down 31 flight of stairs with her dog and children in tow.  “A friend texted me and suggested I leave,” she said.

Another couple, with their 2-year-old son were returning from dinner when they saw the flashing lights. “We’re here because our house in Brays Heights flooded, and now this,” said Buck Baker. “It’s too much drama.” No injuries were reported and no high rise rescues were required.

Government Office, Government/Military

Farmers Branch, TX – Office fire on 9th floor of Federal Building extinguished by single sprinkler

*** FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED – NO MEDIA COVERAGE *** On the afternoon of September 13, 2017, the Farmers Branch Fire Department was dispatched to an automatic fire alarm at a 14-story Federal Building located at 4050 Alpha Rd. Upon arrival, smoke was showing on the ninth floor. A full assignment response was initiated. Upon investigation, fire crews identified an oscillating fan and chair on fire in a ninth floor conference room. One sprinkler head activated and extinguished the fire. Fire was determined to be accidental. No injuries occurred.

Apartment Building, Residential

McKinney, TX – Fire department credits single sprinkler for minimizing damage in apartment fire

McKinney Fire Department (MFD) responded to an incident Sept. 4 at The Mansions McKinney Apartments, 6600 McKinney Ranch Pkwy. First responders quickly discovered the fire sprinkler system had activated and extinguished the grease fire in the apartment kitchen. A single sprinkler head is credited for the minimal damage and reinforced the value of fire sprinkler systems. Approximately 31 MFD personnel responded to the fire and no injuries were reported.

“Another successful sprinkler save sprinkler demonstrates the effectiveness of an automatic fire sprinkler systems in an apartment building environment. Had the sprinkler system not been present, the outcome could have been very different,” said Deputy Fire Marshal Andrew Barr. “Further, this reinforces the recommendation to not leave the kitchen area while cooking at any time.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), kitchen fires account for 49 percent of all home fires and fire injuries, with unattended cooking being a factor in 33 percent of all kitchen fires.

For additional information on fire protection systems, code requirements or other fire prevention topics, visit www.mckinneyfire.org or call 972-547-2862.

Retail, Shopping Mall

Irving, TX – Sprinkler system contains fire in shopping mall electronics store; No injuries reported

A two-alarm fire has been extinguished at an electronics store inside Irving Mall, officials say.  The fire was first reported at about 9:17 p.m. inside a room at Express Electronics. Heavy smoke was reported inside the mall, and fire crews evacuated customers and employees.  The mall’s sprinkler system kicked in, and by 10:20 p.m. the fire was under control.  No injuries were reported.  The fire was contained to the room where it originated, but smoke poured into other parts of the building. Fire crews brought in a venitlation fan to help clear the smoke overnight.

 

Apartment Building, Residential

Longview, TX – Apartment kitchen fire extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries

The Longview Fire Department responded to a report of a kitchen fire in Longview, Friday.  The fire occurred at 1501 E. Whaley at the Churchill of Longview Apartments.  The fire reportedly started in the kitchen as a result of unattended cooking.  The department tells KLTV the fire was extinguished by the fire sprinkler system inside the apartment building.  No one was injured. Four occupants were displaced and will be staying with relatives. 

Apartment Building, Residential

Conroe, TX – Early morning fire at mid-rise apartment building held in check by sprinkler system

Conroe Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Mike Legoudes Jr. credits fire sprinklers for saving The Towers Woodland Apartments and it occupants from a potential disaster early Saturday morning in Conroe. The Conroe Fire Department was notified at 5:26 a.m. of an apartment fire at 366 FM 1488. Firefighters arrived at 5:32 a.m. and reported heavy white smoke coming from the parking garage below Building 12.

“The cause of the smoke was found to be a single vehicle on fire,” information from Legoudes stated. “An aggressive offensive attack was initiated and the fire was quickly extinguished.” The fire was declared under control at 5:35 a.m. All occupants of the building were able to escape and were accounted for with no reported injuries to occupants or firefighters. Needham Road Fire/Rescue and The Woodlands Fire Department assisted.

The involved building consists of a ground-level parking garage with four stories of apartments above, for a total of five stories. The garage area and apartments are fully protected by fire sprinkler and automatic fire alarm systems.  “A single fire sprinkler head activated keeping the fire under control until arrival of firefighters while the automatic fire alarm system alerted occupants of the fire, allowing them to escape unharmed,” the release stated. “The potential for disaster in a residential building of this size, at the time of day the fire occurred, is great.”

Legoudes stressed in the release that the importance of properly installed and maintained fire sprinkler and automatic fire alarm systems cannot be overstated. As a result of the fire sprinkler activation, there was no visible damage to the building and no occupants were displaced, he said. “A properly installed and maintained fire sprinkler system is the single-most effective way of preventing loss of property or life in the event of a residential fire,” he stated. “In this instance, property was definitely saved while lives were very likely saved.”

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Fort Worth, TX – Sprinkler system extinguishes arson fire at Wal-Mart; Damage limited to one aisle

A 36-year-old man lit a fire at a Wal-Mart in far north Fort Worth last week to create a diversion and steal money, but he “chickened out” and left the store empty-handed, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Gilberto Hernandez was charged with arson this week, accused in a fire at the Wal-Mart in the 2400 block of Avondale Haslet Road on July 3. The fire was contained to one aisle and was extinguished by the store’s sprinkler system.  Hernandez, in an interview with arson investigators, admitted setting the fire, according to an affidavit written by investigator M.B. Sims.

Hernandez said he had been “casing” the Wal-Mart for more than two months and had managed to steal a manager’s set of keys, the affidavit said. On July 3, he went to the store with his wife, who was unaware of his plans to set a fire. At the store, Hernandez grabbed a flammable product from the automotive department, spread it on merchandise in the drapes aisle and started a fire with a cigarette lighter.   At a cash register, he told an employee that he smelled smoke. “He said he made this comment so that someone would put the fire out,” the affidavit said. “He said he couldn’t go through with stealing the money after all.”

Investigators obtained surveillance video of Hernandez walking into the drapes aisle with a container of fuel additive, the affidavit said. Photographs and video of him leaving the store were released to news outlets last week and investigators received numerous tips identifying Hernandez as the suspect.  Fort Worth police initially arrested Hernandez at his home Thursday on an unrelated warrant out of Indiana. He remained in the Tarrant County Jail on Tuesday with bail set at $50,000.