Tag Archives: Texas

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.

Apartment Building, Residential

Franklin, TX – Single sprinkler head extinguishes apartment fire started by a candle; No injuries reported

Clothing placed too close to a burning candle ignited an apartment fire this evening, according to Franklin Fire Lieutenant-Paramedic and Fire Investigator Michael Henderson.

Henderson said the fire started in the bathroom of a third-floor unit of the Cadence Cool Springs Apartments, located off of Carothers Parkway on Pacific Drive. He said an occupant was in the shower when the clothing caught fire and spread to a towel. The blaze was quickly extinguished by a single fire sprinkler head.

The fire sprinkler activation triggered an automatic fire alarm. The Franklin Fire Department was dispatched to the three-story, 24-unit apartment building at 5:46 PM. The fire was out when they arrived.

No one was hurt. Henderson said the apartment complex is assisting the displaced residents.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Spring, TX – Restaurant fire sprinkler system keeps fire from spreading

Just after 3pm Ladder, 11-4 was dispatched to an automatic fire alarm at a strip center in the 4100 block of Riley Fuzzel. While en route crews were notified that the manager from Woodson’s Local Tap called and advised there was smoke coming from Fajita Pete’s, a neighboring restaurant in the same strip center.

The response was upgraded to a commercial fire resulting in South County Stations 1,2,6 being added along with Spring and Porter Fire Department. L-114 arrived on the scene and found smoke coming from the restaurant which was not open for business at the time. Crews entered the structure and found the fire sprinklers had activated and were keeping a small fire in the kitchen area from spreading. The crews extinguished the remaining fire preventing any further damage. The scene was determined under control within 5 minutes of arrival and other responding units were placed in service.

The fire is being investigated by the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office

Apartment Building, Residential

Longview, TX – Apartment fire extinguished by fire sprinklers

A small fire appears to have begun in a closet at the Churchill of Longview Apartments, according to Kevin May with Longview Fire Department.

The fire began at about 8:42 a.m. Friday, at the 1500 block of E. Whaley Street. May said the small fire was extinguished by the sprinkler system.

May reports the damage was minimal with mostly water damage caused by the sprinkler. There were no injuries to the two people home at the time of the fire.

May said it appears to have been an accidental fire and the cause is under investigation.

Apartment Building, Residential

Addison, TX (no media coverage) – Single sprinkler head contains apartment fire; No injuries reported

We had another save over the weekend. Our crews responded to a reported automatic alarm and after investigation found water and smoke in an individual apartment. The occupant was asleep and not responsive and did not awake to either the smoke alarms or water activation of the one sprinkler head. He woke up after crews made entry into his apartment and he was escorted down stairs with no injury. The building value is around 45 Million. That is the 4th sprinkler save we have had in the last six months in Addison.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Pflugerville, TX – Sprinkler system contains fire to single unit at senior living complex

The Pflugerville Fire Department is crediting an effective sprinkler system and fire alarms in potentially saving many lives at a senior living apartment complex.

Firefighters responded to reports of the structure fire at 500 Grand Ave. Parkway, the HomeTowne at Picadilly active senior living apartments, Thursday around 12:52 p.m. A total of nine fire department units, including a fire department ambulance, arrived around seven minutes later.

Upon arrival, they discovered the fire was on the third floor with smoke showing. An employee on the scene was complaining of smoke inhalation, but they refused ambulance transport.

Firefighters said the fire was contained to just one apartment unit, thanks to fast action from the building’s sprinkler system. They also said smoke alarms alerted children in the apartment, who then told their grandmother, and they exited together.

“We consider this a huge success and shows the value that smoke alarms and fire sprinklers bring to the community with regard to saving lives and property, especially residents in multifamily dwellings and in a senior community such as this,” the fire department said. “This is a good reminder for everyone to check your smoke alarms frequently and to have a plan to escape a fire in your home, and to practice it. Fire can become inescapable in as little as three minutes.”

Officials said the residents will be displaced from the fire, but all other apartments will be reoccupied on Thursday. There was significant smoke and water damage to the unit below.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.