Tag Archives: Texas

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Houston, TX – Sprinkler system keeps fire in check at Holiday Inn Express; No injuries reported

A one-alarm fire at a northwest Houston hotel forced guests to evacuate early Saturday morning, according to the Cy-Fair Fire Department.

At approximately 4:40 a.m., fire crews were dispatched to a Holiday Inn Express hotel located in the 9100 block of West Road on reports of a fire. On arrival, crews observed fire and smoke visible from a third-story unit.

Firefighters attacked the blaze and extinguished it quickly, said Captain Daniel Arizpe, a public information officer with the Cy-Fair Fire Department

No injuries were reported, Arizpe said.

The fire remained contained to the original unit, though other areas of the hotel sustained some smoke damage, Arizpe said.

Arson investigators with the Harris County fire Marshal’s Office determined an AC unit caused the fire. When the fire started, a sprinkler in the affected hotel room activated and held the blaze at bay until the fire crews arrived.

The fire will be ruled accidental, according to the HCFMO.

Apartment Building, Residential

Conroe, TX – Sprinkler system keeps fire in check at apartment complex; No injuries reported

This morning at 11:15am The Woodlands Fire Department responded to the Berkshire Woodlands Apartments at 1488 and Carriage Hills to assist Conroe Fire Department on a reported structure fire.

First arriving units reported a vehicle fire inside the first floor garage of building 7. The building’s sprinkler system had held the fire in check and firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire. Fire damage was confined to the garage with light smoke damage to the adjacent apartment. There were no reported injuries and Conroe Fire Investigators are working on the cause. Also assisting Needham Fire & Rescue Magnolia Fire and Montgomery County Hospital District

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Pearland, TX (no media coverage) – Dryer fire at nursing home put out by single fire sprinkler

On Sunday November 15,2020 at 19:40 hours crews were dispatched to the 3400 blk of Business Center drive; a nursing home for an reported fire. Crews arrived on scene and found an active fire inside of an industrial clothes dryer. The fires progression was impeded by the activation on a single sprinkler head. The fire was contained to the drier unit with no surrounding damage. No residents were displaced from fire.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Austin, TX – Sprinkler system stops fire outside hotel from entering building; No injuries reported

Austin Fire extinguished the flames at a hotel under construction on South Congress early Sunday morning.

AFD was on scene at 2510 South Congress Avenue at around 3:45 a.m.

Officials say the fire was exterior and that the sprinkler system stopped the flames from entering the building.

AFD says the call first came in as a grass fire but was later upgraded to a structure fire.

Firefighters were able to put out the flames in around five to ten minutes, according to a spokesperson with AFD. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time. Investigators believe this fire was likely caused by a cigarette in mulch that extended to the deck and then the building.

Apartment Building, Residential

Spring, TX – Fire sprinklers put out apartment kitchen fire

South Montgomery County Firefighters responded to a fire alarm just around dinner time Wednesday at the Rayford Edge apartments located at 25650 I-45 South. When the first unit arrived they found that a cooking fire had started in an apartment in building 7, but was quickly extinguished when a fire sprinkler in the kitchen was activated by the heat. The occupant reported that he had been cooking when cooking oil ignited a fire on the stove and began spreading smoke and heat throughout his apartment. Before he could even call 911, the building’s fire sprinkler system activated and contained the fire to the top of the stove.

Firefighters checked to make sure the fire was out and cleared up the smoke in the apartment before turning the building back over to management. Fortunately, for the other residents and the building’s owner, the building had been equipped with a fire sprinkler system after it was destroyed by a previous fire. Many older apartment complexes were built before modern codes required them to be protected by fire sprinklers. In 2008, Montgomery County Commissioner’s Court adopted a County Fire
Code after a series of disastrous fires and that code requires fire sprinklers be installed in all new multi-family buildings, including buildings like this one that are modernized or rebuilt after previous fires. Had the fire broke out in any of the other existing buildings in the complex that are not equipped with fire sprinklers, it would undoubtedly have spread further and led to extensive damage, risking the lives of residents and firefighters.

The Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office has been working with owners of older multi-family complexes to bring them up to modern safety standards during major renovation projects. Two of the more dramatic examples are taking place at the Woodglen and Holly Creek Apartment complexes in The Woodlands. Both are undergoing renovation and ownership is committed to installing fire sprinkler systems in every building in both complexes after past fires have left residents homeless or worse. The vast majority of the nearly 3000 annual fire deaths in the Nation occur each year in residential property, with multi-family buildings at higher risk due to the number of occupants and sheer building size.

While fire sprinklers are the best protection, and required in all new multi-family construction, tenants should make sure that there are working smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway and living area. Under State Law, Texas Landlords are required to provide working smoke alarms in all residential rental property. Tenants are responsible for testing them, replacing batteries as needed and may not tamper with or disable any fire protection device, including fire sprinklers and smoke alarms.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

McKinney, TX – (no media coverage) Fire sprinklers stop candle fire at Motel 6

It is Fire Prevention Week and this incident highlights the importance of fire sprinklers! On Sunday, Oct. 4, the McKinney Fire Department (MFD) responded to a fire alarm call at the Motel 6 located at 2125 W. White Avenue.  Units arrived to find two fire sprinklers contained the fire to room 215. MFD evacuated the residents from the structure and power was shut off to the entire building.

Fire Investigators say a candle was left burning on the side of the bathtub. The fire caused significant damage to the bathroom area. There was water damage to multiple rooms.

35 people were displaced. Some were moved to other hotels and some accepted help from the Red Cross.

Here are some candle safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

  • Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
  • Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn.
  • Use candle holders that won’t tip over easily.
  • Put out a candle before burns down close to the holder or container.
  • Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle.

“We urge people not to use candles at all. In an emergency, have flashlights ready,” said Merit Ossian,

Public Information Officer and Education Coordinator. “Think about using flameless candles in your home. They look and smell like real candles without the fire danger!”

Apartment Building, Residential

Farmers Branch, TX – Single sprinkler head extinguishes apartment fire

On September 17, 2020 at 11:09 am, the Farmers Branch Fire Department was dispatched for a structure fire at 11601 Lago Vista West #1156.   Quint 133 arrived on scene with nothing showing and began an investigation.  No audibles or strobes were activating.  A fire alarm technician approached the crew and advised the fire alarm system was being worked on, but a fire occurred in apartment #1156 with one sprinkler head activation.  Upon arrival to the apartment, the door was closed.  Resident was in the hallway.   Upon entering the apartment, light smoke was observed and one head had activated in a bedroom.  The fire had been extinguished.  Sprinkler system and fire pump were turned off.  Quint 133 requested an investigator.  Investigation determined the fire started along a base board by a dresser where a laundry basket of clothes were stacked.  The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.  Estimated loss is $15,000.

Apartment Building, Residential

McKinney, TX – Single fire sprinkler puts out apartment balcony fire; No injuries reported

A single fire sprinkler in an apartment balcony extinguished a fire on Tuesday, the McKinney Fire Department said.

The department received a call about smoke at The Avenues of Craig Ranch apartments on 8700 Stacy Road. When firefighters arrived, the flames had been extinguished by a single sprinkler on the balcony of one apartment, according to a department press release.

“Fire Investigators say it appears a vacuum was left plugged in on the balcony and shorted out,” the press release stated.

Nobody was home when the fire broke out, and nearby apartment residents were evacuated, the press release stated. There was limited damage, but no injuries.

To avoid electrical fires, the McKinney Fire Department in its press release recommended calling a qualified electrician or landlord if residents have frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers, a tingling feeling when touching an electrical appliance or if they have discolored or warm wall outlets. Residents should also call an electrician or landlord if they notice a burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance, flickering or dimming lights or sparks from an outlet.

Apartment Building, Residential

Grapevine, TX – (no media coverage) Fire sprinkler system extinguishes apartment fire after air fryer catches fire

An Air Fryer caught fire in the kitchen, 2nd floor apartment (3 stories).  Sprinkler system activated and extinguished the fire.  Water/smoke/fire damage to the kitchen and living room area.  Also water damage to the 1st floor apartment.  There are 18 apartments in the building.  So 16 apartments saved.  The tenant was home at the time of the alarm.