Tag Archives: Texas

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

San Antonio, TX – Sprinkler system activated for fire at sandwich shop; No injuries reported

A Jersey Mike’s Subs sandwich shop on the West Side sustained some damage Thursday morning following a fire in the kitchen.

The San Antonio Fire Department said the call came in after 7 a.m. at the restaurant in the 8600 block of State Highway 151, not far from Ingram Road.

A fire started on the stove but the sprinkler system prevented the flames from spreading.

One employee was inside the business at the time and recorded the fire to show it to firefighters, a battalion chief at the scene said.

She was able to escape without injury.

Firefighters knocked down the flames and no neighboring businesses were affected.

The battalion chief said the damage is estimated to be a maximum of $10,000.

The damage from the flames and sprinkler system was minimal, he said.

Apartment Building, Residential

McKinney, TX – Kitchen fire extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

The McKinney Fire Department (MFD) responded to water flow alarm on Saturday, April 24 at the Times Square at Craig Ranch apartments located at 7551 Collin McKinney Pkwy. Neighbors reported heavy smoke coming from a single apartment. 

Firefighters arrived to find a fire in the kitchen that was extinguished by a single fire sprinkler head which kept damage from spreading into the rest of the apartment. No one was injured.

Fire investigators called to the scene determined the fire was started when a stovetop burner was turned on while a box was sitting on top of it.

According to the NFPA, cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.

Apartment Building, Residential

Fort Bend County, TX – (no media coverage) Sprinkler system activated for fire at apartment complex

On 4/21/2021 at approximately 3:49am,
Investigators from the Fort Bend County Fire Marshal’s Office were dispatched to the scene of
an apartment fire with Community Fire Department. Upon arrival, investigators discovered that a
fire had occurred on the patio of a residential living unit. It was determined that the resident
smokes cigarettes in this area, and had done so before going to bed a few hours earlier. The fire
was controlled with one single head activation. There was minor heat damage to the adjacent
area. No other units were affected by this fire.

Apartment Building, Residential

McKinney, TX – Sprinkler system activated for fire at apartment complex

The McKinney Fire Department (MFD) responded to a report of a structure fire at the El Lago Apartments, 3400 Craig Dr., at 6:40 p.m., Monday, April 19.

The fire originated on the balcony and a single fire sprinkler head in the apartment’s living room area extinguished the fire and kept the flames from spreading into the apartment.

Fire investigators determined the fire was started by a child playing with a lighter. The child was referred to the MFD’s Youth Firesetter Program.

Here is information for teaching your child about fire safety:

  • Lead by example. You cannot expect your child to treat fire any differently than you do.
  • Explain why they cannot use fire.
  • Treat matches and lighters like tools. Give these items the same respect you would knives, kitchen appliances, hammers, etc.
  • Keep matches and lighters out of reach of all children.
  • Reward children for making right decisions with matches and lighters.
  • Make clear the punishment for the improper use of matches and lighters.
  • Encourage your child’s school to promote fire safety in the classroom.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 7,000 fires annually are started by children playing. More than half of those fires are started with a lighter.

Apartment Building, Residential

Stafford, TX – (no media coverage) Residential kitchen fire extinguished with help from sprinkler system

On 4/20/2021 at approximately 12:56 AM,
Investigators from the Fort Bend County Fire Marshal’s Office were dispatched to the scene of
an apartment fire with Stafford Fire Department. Upon arrival, investigators discovered that a
cooking fire had occurred in the kitchen of a residential living unit due to unattended cooking.
The fire was controlled with the single head activation and there was minor heat damage to the
adjacent area. No other units were affected by this fire.

Apartment Building, Residential

Richmond, TX – (no media coverage) Apartment fire extinguished with help from sprinkler system

On 4/7/2021 at approximately 12:54 AM,
Investigators from the Fort Bend County Fire Marshal’s Office were dispatched to the scene of
an apartment fire with Richmond Fire Department. Upon arrival, investigators discovered that a
fire had occurred in a clothes dryer in the laundry closet of a residential living unit. The fire was
controlled with the single head activation and there was minor heat damage to the adjacent area.
No other units were affected by this fire.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Jacksonville, TX – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Holiday Inn Express

A South Jacksonville hotel remained closed Monday while assessing damage caused by a weekend fire.

Firefighters were called at 1:47 p.m. Sunday to Holiday Inn Express Hotel at 2501 Holiday Lane.

South Jacksonville Fire Chief Rich Evans Jr. said the initial call was for an automatic fire alarm but, while en route, firefighters were notified of a water flow alarm, which was an indication the sprinkler system had been activated.

Upon arrival, they found heavy smoke on the second floor coming from Room 218.

“The biggest brunt of the fire was extinguished by the sprinkler system,” Evans said.

Although the fire was isolated to the room, there was moderate smoke damage and extensive water damage to the hotel. A damage estimate has not been determined.

Evans believes the fire started in an air conditioner.

“The origin of the fire came from that air-conditioner unit and was contained in that area,” he said. “There was no other source besides that air conditioner.”

About six or seven rooms were booked at the time. Everyone was able to get out when the alarms sounded, Evans said.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Bryan, TX – Fire at Hilton Hotel kept under control by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Firefighters were called to the Hilton Hotel in College Station Saturday afternoon after smoke was seen coming out of a hotel room.

Evacuations were ordered as the College Station Fire Department arrived at the scene.

According to fire officials, a floor fan caught fire in a single room. The hotel’s automatic sprinkler system kept the fire under control until firefighters arrived.

No injuries were reported and guests have since been allowed back into the hotel.

Apartment Building, Residential

McKinney, TX – Single fire sprinkler extinguishes apartment fire; No injuries reported

The McKinney Fire Department (MFD) responded to a report of a water flow alarm Friday morning at Times Square of Craig Ranch apartments located at 7951 Collin McKinney Pkwy. Firefighters arrived to find light smoke in the hallway.  

Upon investigation, it was determined that single fire sprinkler had extinguished the fire started by lit candles inside one apartment. Fire investigators say the resident had lit several candles and then fallen asleep. 

No one was injured.

“Fire sprinklers are on duty 24/7. They never sleep even when you do,” said McKinney Fire Marshal Mike Smith. “They are always there, ready to extinguish a fire before it can spread and cause a large amount of property damage.”  

According to the National Fire Protection Association, candles start an average of 21 fires a day across the country. 

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Waco, TX – Bathroom fire at high school knocked down by fire sprinkler

Waco High School was evacuated for a short time after a fire was reported in one of the building’s restrooms.

Waco Fire Department units were sent to the scene shortly after the noon hour and found that the fire had not extended beyond the one room.

Waco ISD spokesman Joshua Wucher said the automatic sprinkler system knocked down the fire.

There was some minor smoke damage to the restroom, but Wucher said that none of the students or staff were in any real danger.

Students were allowed back into the building a short time later with classes resuming.

An investigation was underway into the source of the fire.