Tag Archives: Texas

Apartment Building, Residential

McKinney, TX – (no media coverage)Two fire sprinkler heads extinguish fish fry kitchen fire; No injuries reported

City of McKinney News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fire sprinklers stop fish fry fire in McKinney

Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries

McKINNEY, Texas (July 27, 2020) The McKinney Fire Department (MFD) responded to a report of a structure fire at 575 Virginia Hills Dr. on Monday, July 20. MFD units arrived to find that a stovetop fire had been extinguished by two fire sprinkler heads located in the kitchen. Fire investigators say the resident was frying fish with the lid on. When the lid was removed, the hot grease ignited.

No one was injured and damage was limited to the stovetop, the microwave and cabinets above it.

   Safety considerations when cooking with oil:

  • Always stay in the kitchen when frying on the stovetop.
  • Keep an eye on what you fry. If you see wisps of smoke or the oil smells, immediately turn off the burner.
  • Add food gently to the pot or pan so that the oil does not splatter.
  • Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flames and turn off the burner.
  • If the fire does not go out or you don’t feel comfortable sliding a lid over the pan, get everyone out of your home. Call 911 from outside.

Apartment Building, Residential

San Antonio, TX – Apartment fire caused by curling iron put out by fire sprinkler system

Firefighter say a curling iron caused a fire and evacuation of an apartment complex near Downtown.

The fire started around 2:30 a.m. at The Baldwin at St. Paul Square on Center Street near Chestnut Street.

Firefighters say the fire was caused by a curling iron left too close to rolls of toilet paper. The smoke alarms alerted everyone to the fire and the building was evacuated.

The fire was contained to the one apartment and was put out by the building’s sprinkler system.

Estimated damages are $10,000 due to the smoke, water and fire damage.

All residents were able to return to their apartments except the unit with the fire.

Apartment Building, Residential

Jasper, TX – Apartment Kitchen Fire extinguished by fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

No one was injured in a fire that broke out late Thursday evening at the Prospect Point Apartments in the 200 block of Premier Drive, behind the Lowe’s Home Improvement Store.

The volunteers of the Jasper Fire Department were dispatched to that location shortly before midnight when it was reported that smoke was coming from an apartment.

Firemen arrived to find that the apartment’s automatic fire sprinkler had already extinguished the blaze, which apparently began on a stove in the kitchen.

Firemen said no one was home when the fire broke out.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Houston, TX – Single sprinkler head controls restaurant grease fire; No injuries reported

The Harris County Fire Marshall released video of a fire at a local restaurant to remind people why you don’t put water on a grease fire.

Investigators were asked to assist Cypress Creek Fire Department with a fire at Pho X Trang on Monday in the 21500 block of SH 249.

There were a couple of lessons learned from this incident.

  • Never throw ice or water on a grease fire
  • Fire sprinklers save lives. The fire sprinkler system activated one sprinkler head, controlling the fire until the fire department arrived on the scene.

The fire was ruled an accident and there were no injuries reported.

Apartment Building, Residential

McKinney, TX – Fire sprinklers keep fire from spreading at second floor apartment

The McKinney Fire Department (MFD) responded to a reported water flow alarm at the Magnolia Ranch apartments located at 3191 Medical Center Dr., at 1 p.m. on May 17. Units arrived to find smoke alarms going off and water running off the balcony of one of the second floor apartments. Fire sprinklers kept the flames from spreading and firefighters were able to shut the fire sprinkler system down.

Office Building, Other Business

Montgomery County, TX – Single fire sprinkler controls fire and limits damage after neon wall sign caught fire at commercial building

Early this morning, Montgomery County Firefighters responded to a fire alarm in a multi-tenant commercial building.

A neon wall sign caught fire and started to spread slowly via a plastic plant used for wall decoration. The plastic material had previously been tested by an MCFMO Fire Inspector during an occupancy inspection and met safety codes for its ability to limit fire spread.

The fire eventually emitted enough heat to activate a single fire sprinkler, controlling the fire and preventing any business disruption for the building tenants.

Apartment Building, Residential

Richmond, TX (no media coverage) – Sprinkler head extinguishes kitchen fire in apartment

“The area of origin for the fire was the back, right rear burner on range top. Radiant heat ignited the microwave and cabinetry directly above. Responding FD found no flames or smoke, burner still glowing red as it had not been turned off. Fire was extinguished by sprinkler head on ceiling approximately 10′ away from fire. “

Apartment Building, Residential

Abilene, TX – Eighth-floor apartment cooking fire controlled by sprinkler system

Abilene firefighters responded Saturday to two structure fires, including one in a downtown high-rise building that activated the sprinkler system, according to news releases. 

At about 9:20 p.m., fire crews were called to The Windsor Apartment Homes in the 400 block of Pine Street. A small cooking fire in an eighth-floor apartment had triggered the apartment’s sprinkler system, the release said. 

“Once the fire extinguishment was confirmed, the fire department was able to shut off the sprinkler system to reduce the water damage,” the release said.

Water flowed down the hallway and also damaged nearby apartments, including at least one on the floor below, AFD spokeswoman Elise Roberts said.

Damages are estimated to be $5,000 due to the sprinkler activation, the release said. 

Apartment Building, Residential

McKinney, TX – Single sprinkler head saves apartment after cooking fire

The McKinney Fire Department responded to a fire alarm Monday at Greenhaven Apartments at 8690 Virginia Parkway where units determined that the fire was extinguished by one sprinkler head.

The resident told firefighters she had left food on the stove and it caught fire. Everyone was able to get out safely. Smoke and water damage was contained to one apartment unit. The action of this one sprinkler head saved lives and an extensive financial loss of property.

According to the NFPA, there are hundreds of fires reported every day in the U.S., but cooking fires are by far the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries.

“With the COVID-19 concerns people are staying home and cooking more,” MFP spokesperson Merit Ossian said. “The best way to protect your home and family is to stay alert and keep an eye on what you are cooking. Take it off the heat if you have to step away.”

Apartment Building, Residential

McKinney, TX – Apartment grease fire controlled by fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

A McKinney resident cooked up more than she was hungry for after grease splashed from a frying pan, sparking a fire in her kitchen.

But two fire sprinkler heads activated and quickly extinguished the flames, eliminating a potential “disaster,” according to the McKinney Fire Department.

“Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries,” said Merit Ossian, McKinney Fire Dept. Public Information Officer. “The biggest problem is unattended cooking. If you have to step away from the stove, turn off the heat first.”

The structure fire happened at the Treymore of McKinney apartments at 901 S. Wilson Creek.

No one was injured and damage was limited to the area around the stove.

  • Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires.
  • Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the heat. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.