Tag Archives: Virginia

Apartment Building, Residential

Bristol, VA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at apartment building; No injuries reported

February 16, 2019 viking210

Fire officials say one apartment was damaged by fire Friday morning at the Village at Oakview public housing complex in Bristol, Virginia.

But thanks to a water sprinkler system, the fire on Oakview Street was put out quickly and damage was limited to that apartment and another that had water damage.

Fire officials were investigating the cause of the fire. They said it appeared that it started under a bed. No one was injured.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Tysons, VA – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire in 19-story high-rise building; No injuries reported

February 16, 2019 viking210

There was a fire earlier this week at the 8200 block of Crestwood Heights Drive in Tysons, but even before Fairfax Fire & Rescue arrived it was doused by the building’s sprinkler system.

The fire started just after midnight in an upper-floor apartment of a 19-story high-rise building. There were no injuries and $200 in damages.

Bill Delaney, a public affairs officer for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, said fires being taken out by sprinklers before firefighters arrive is uncommon, given that sprinklers are only typical in newer high rise buildings.

“Sprinklers are mostly located in high-rise buildings, condos, apartments,” said Delaney. “Also a variety of commercial type buildings and businesses. Older types of those buildings do not have fire sprinklers as it was not a requirement at the time they were built.”

Delaney said the fire was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials. Delaney noted that this was the sixth fire in 2019 caused by discarded cigarettes or other smoking devices. One last week caused significant damage to a home after cigarettes were thrown into the trash.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue offered a few suggestions for safely disposing of cigarettes.

• Never dispose of cigarette butts in potted planting soil. The soil, when it gets too dry, can become highly flammable.
• Never flick cigarettes into mulch or shrubbery. Dispose of them in a suitable ashtray or bucket with sand. Ensure designated outside smoking areas have an appropriate fireproof container, ashtray or bucket.
• Completely douse butts and ashes with water before throwing them away, as they can smolder and cause a fire.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Provide large, deep ashtrays with a center support for smokers. Check furniture for any dropped ashes before going to bed. Empty ashes into a fireproof container with water and sand.
• Keep smoking materials away from anything that can burn (i.e., mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, draperies, etc.).
• Never smoke in a home where oxygen is being used.
• If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes. They are less likely to cause fires.
• To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you must be alert. You won’t be if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children’s sight and reach.

Hotel / Motel

Chesapeake, VA – Fire in 3rd floor room at Comfort Suites hotel extinguished by sprinkler system

February 14, 2019 viking210

Firefighters responded to a hotel room fire in Chesapeake. A call came in around 1:49 p.m. last Monday, in reference to a fire in one of the hotel rooms on the third floor at the Comfort Suites located 1550 Crossways Blvd in Chesapeake. Officials reported that the hotel’s sprinkler system had extinguished the fire. Crews worked to ventilate the hotel. The third floor has reports of some water and smoke damage. No injuries were reported. Upon preliminary investigation by officials, it appears fire started in the HVAC system. There is no further information at this time.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Hurley, VA – Laundry fire at elementary school contained with help from sprinkler systems

December 26, 2018 viking210

Students were evacuated out of Hurley Elementary School on Thursday afternoon following a fire that investigators said started in the school’s gym area. Knox Creek Volunteer Fire Department spokesperson Wayne Horne told News 5 that a Buchanan County deputy was able to extinguish a blaze that came from a clothes dryer and where flames were visible. The fire activated the facility’s sprinkler system in the boys’ locker room and gym area, Horne said. Those areas also sustained smoke damage while a collection of toys intended for children were damaged during the incident, the spokesperson said. The students were taken to the nearby high school after being allowed to collect personal items. The fire remains under investigation.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Rosslyn, VA – Electric fire at pizza shop extinguished by sprinkler system

December 11, 2018 viking210

Firefighters responded to an electrical fire at the Ledo Pizza restaurant in the Red Lion hotel in Rosslyn yesterday. The fire was extinguished by a sprinkler system.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Vienna, VA – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire in high school classroom

November 15, 2018 viking210

A fire in a Madison High School classroom forced the cancellation of a drama performance on Friday, Nov. 9. There were no injuries.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue responded to the fire around 6:49 p.m. Friday. Firefighters arriving on scene found smoke showing from the roof line of the school but found fire sprinklers had put out the blaze in a classroom. The fire was contained to the classroom.

About 125 students and staff had been in the building when the fire occurred. Smoke alarms and sprinklers alerted them to the fire. Most evacuated, while first responders helped others get out safely.

Fire investigators say a malfunctioning kiln left on unattended started the fire. A kiln is an oven for drying ceramics. Damages were estimated to be $3,000.

The school tweeted that the drama performance of “Noises Off” had been cancelled for that day. The play went on as scheduled on Saturday, Nov. 10 and has additional dates on Nov. 16-17 at 7:30 p.m.

Restaurant

Kingstowne, VA – Sprinkler system puts out overnight restaurant fire

November 6, 2018 viking210

Sprinklers put out a fire overnight on Wednesday, Oct. 31 at a Kingstowne Towne Center restraurant, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue. The fire department did not name the restaurant involved.  Around 2:11 a.m., Fairfax County and Alexandria firefighters responded to the 5900 block of Kingstowne Center in the one-story commercial building. Units found smoke in the building and that the sprinkler system had already extinguished the fire. There were no injuries.  The fire department was notified by the fire alarm system. Fire investigators say the cause was combustibles too close to a heat source in the kitchen. Damages are estimated to be $3,000.

Government Office

Woodstock, VA – Fire caused by malfunctioning printer at Voter Registrar’s Office controlled with help from sprinkler system

November 4, 2018 viking210

Just days ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, an early morning fire has forced Shenandoah County to move its voter registrar’s office.  Early on November 1, a fire originated in the Shenandoah County Voter Registrar’s Office, located in the Shenandoah County Government Center at 600 N. Main St.  According to the Shenandoah County Fire Marshal’s office, which is investigating the cause of the fire, it appears it was accidentally set by a malfunctioning printer.  However, due to damage from the fire, followed by activation of the sprinkler system in the building, the office is being temporarily relocated, along with all personnel and equipment.

Voters, including those planning to cast an absentee ballot ahead of Election Day, can access the relocated office at exterior door 3 of the county office building during regular business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturday, November 3, which is the final day to cast an in-person absentee ballot in Virginia.  The office will remain in the new location until further notice.

“Based on our preliminary review of the damage, it appears all voter records and any absentee ballots casts in advance of next week’s election have been protected and are secure. We are grateful the damage was not more extensive”, said Lisa McDonald, Shenandoah County Voter Registrar.

Fire companies from Strasburg, Edinburg, Woodstock, Toms Brook, and Shenandoah County responded to the scene to extinguish the fire on Thursday morning, with help from Woodstock Rescue, Woodstock Police and the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Lynchburg, VA – After dust explosion, sprinkler system activates to aid firefighters in extinguishing blaze at business

November 4, 2018 viking210

The Lynchburg Fire Department responded to a fire at a business in Lynchburg after the welding arc set off a dust explosion.  The fire department said workers were doing maintenance on top of an oven at Hanwha Azdel, welding a new rod, when the welding arc set off a dust explosion fire in the roof system in the insulation, activating the sprinkler system.  Lynchburg Department of Emergency Services said the 2000 block of Enterprise Drive was shut down as a response.  Fire crews say Unit 8 arrived and extinguished the flames.  Lingering smoke on the roof was also extinguished.  No one was injured.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Roanoke, VA – Sprinkler system activated at Longhorn Steakhouse; Fire started in loading dock area

October 21, 2018 viking210

The Roanoke Fire Department responded to a fire at Longhorn Steakhouse at Valley View Mall Wednesday afternoon.  They said they responded at around 4:38 p.m. to the fire which was in the back loading dock area.  According to fire officials, the fire was ruled accidental and was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials. Longhorn has since reopened once the sprinkler system was back online.

They said damage estimates are approximately $15,000.