Tag Archives: Washington

Government/Military, Public Library

Kent, WA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at library book drop

The downtown Kent Library closed on Thursday, Dec. 2 after the sprinkler system activated early in the morning when something in the book drop caught fire.

“The incident is currently under investigation,” said Sarah Thomas, King County Library System public relations specialist, in a Thursday afternoon email. “It will remain closed today (Thursday). We are unable to give a reopening date at this time.”

The Kent Library is at 212 Second Ave. N.

Puget Sound Fire responded to a sprinkler water flow alarm just before 6 a.m. Thursday, said Pat Pawlak, Puget Sound Fire spokesman.

“Firefighters arrived and found that that had been a fire in the book drop,” Pawlak said. “A single sprinkler head activated and extinguished the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.”

People looking to use a local library can visit the Kent Panther Lake Library, 20500 108th Ave. SE, which also is part of the King County Library System.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Kennwick, WA – Sprinkler system activated for attic fire at nursing center

Kennewick fire officials are praising a sprinkler system for preventing a possible tragedy at a rehabilitation and nursing center early Tuesday. About 30 residents were at the facility at 2 a.m. Tuesday when a fire ignited in the attic of the Regency Canyon Lakes Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on Ely Street. Fire Chief Chad Michael said the fire sent a light amount of smoke through the building. Firefighters arrived within four minutes of being called and discovered where the fire started.

A heating and ventilation system is suspected of causing the fire. “Fortunately, the attic space is fully sprinklered and a single sprinkler head contained the fire until fire crews arrived on the scene,” said the release.

All the physical, occupational and speech therapy patients living at the center and staff members were able to remain sheltered in the building, though firefighters helped move 12 patients to different rooms. Michael pointed out that sprinklers reduce fire-related deaths by 87% and injuries by 27%, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Apartment Building, Residential

East Wenatchee, WA – Sprinkler system extinguishes cooking fire caused by oil

A Tuesday night structure fire in East Wenatchee left occupants displaced and was a result of oil left cooking on the stove.

According to public information officer, Kay McKellar, Douglas County Fire District 2 responded to the structure fire around 9 p.m. in the 500 block of 11th street. A man in the home was cooking oil on the stove and left to head to the grocery store. When he returned home, the oil had started a small fire.

The overhead sprinkler did put out the fire, however there was water damage from the sprinkler to both the unit and the one below. The Red Cross was called to assist with the displaced occupants.

Apartment Building, Residential

Spokane, WA – Sprinkler system controls apartment fire; No injuries reported

An early-morning apartment fire was largely controlled by the building’s sprinklers before the Spokane Fire Department arrived and finished extinguishing the flames.

A fire broke out at the Wolfe Apartments, 240 W. Sprague Ave., at about 1:30 a.m. Monday morning, according to Julie O’Berg, deputy chief at the Spokane Fire Department.

The fire was small and primarily controlled by a sprinkler system in the building, she said. Residents were able to exit the building safely, and no injuries have been reported, O’Berg said.

“Our crews helped with smoke removal and just making sure there’s no extension (of the fire),” O’Berg said.

The number of apartments damaged was not available Monday morning, but O’Berg said most of the damage was caused by the water from the sprinklers. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Long Beach, WA – Sprinkler system activated for dryer fire at restaurant

A popular Long Beach restaurant was spared serious damage after catching fire Monday evening, May 10.

No injuries but moderate damage were reported following a Monday evening fire at the Lost Roo restaurant, 1700 Pacific Ave. S. in Long Beach.

The fire, reported around 6:30 p.m., generated a quick response from several local fire departments including Ilwaco, Long Beach and Ocean Park.

Damage to the business, closed at the time of the fire, was mainly confined to the back kitchen area. It was initially suspected that it started in a clothing dryer, which was loaded with towels.

The charred, front-loading dryer was removed out the backdoor by firemen along with armloads of scorched linens.

Lost Roo owners Tania and Travis Miller were nearby and responded to the scene along with a growing gathering of curious onlookers.

“Nobody really knows what happened; we were actually closed today,” Tania said. “I would assume some sort of electrical issue. Travis and I were sitting at The Depot having dinner for Mother’s Day and our alarm company called and said there was smoke and that our sprinkler system had been deployed. It appears the fire started with the dryer but we’re not really sure yet.”

Tania, who has owned the business four years, said some employees were working in the morning but the business had been closed to customers for the day.

Tania praised the fast response from local fire departments and the effectiveness of the sprinkler system.

“This is a first, but the fortunate part is that sprinkler system did what it’s supposed to do. It went off right where the fire was at and put it out,” she said. “The damage is very minimal in regard to what potentially could have happened — it’s fixable.”

The business will be closed in the coming days for repairs. The official cause of the fire remains under investigation. The call-out lasted about an hour.

Apartment Building, Residential

Spokane, WA – Fire at apartment complex controlled by sprinkler system until fire crews arrived; No injuries reported

At least two residents of a 32-unit Spokane apartment complex were displaced Sunday by a fire caused by a candle placed “too close to combustibles,” according to the Spokane Fire Department.

The fire was reported at around 6:15 p.m. at the West 315 Apartments on Mission Avenue and Washington Street.

The caller reported smoke from a second-floor apartment window and a fire alarm going off, according to the fire department.

Firefighters arrived within five minutes to a blaze on the second floor of the three-story apartment building.

The building, according to the fire department, is equipped with a fire and life safety system that includes a commercial fire sprinkler system, which did help keep the fire’s growth under control until personnel arrived.

More than 30 firefighters were needed to search the burning apartment, evacuate nearby units and survey the damage, firefighters said.

Nobody was injured, while firefighters rescued three cats.

Those affected have accepted assistance from the Greater Inland Northwest Chapter of the Red Cross. Firefighters said Monday afternoon that up to six more disabled residents could be temporarily relocated.

Investigators determined the cause of the fire was accidental.

“The SFD reminds our community that when using lit candles, to place them in sturdy, safe candle holders that will not burn or tip over,” department officials said in a statement. “Although we prefer battery-operated flameless candles, if candles are used, please keep them at least 12 inches from materials that can burn and never leave a candle unattended.”

Apartment Building, Residential

Woodland, WA – Fire sprinklers kept fire in check at apartment building; No injuries reported

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue team members, as well as some Woodland residents, were very thankful for fire sprinklers Thursday morning.   

Just after midnight on Thanksgiving morning, a fire broke out in an occupied apartment building in the 1300 Block of Glenwood Street in Woodland. The fire started when an appliance was accidentally left on and overheated, causing a fire that spread to the cabinets below.  

Fire crews were notified of the fire by an automatic fire alarm tied to the fire sprinkler system.  A single fire sprinkler, ensuring minimal damage and no injuries or loss of life, quickly and automatically controlled the fire.  

This fire sprinkler kept the two occupants of the apartment where the fire occurred safe along with all of their neighbors in other units throughout the building.  There was very minor fire damage to a cabinet along with some minimal water damage that was limited to the first floor.   

Division Chief Mike Jackson of Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue said, “This situation would have been much worse had the building not been protected with fire sprinklers.  There likely would have been significantly more damage along with a greater risk of injury to the building occupants.”   

Jackson further stated that, “We are also reminded in times like this of how thankful we are for our crews that respond quickly 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, and 365 days-a-year, especially on holidays like today when they are at work, serving the community away from their families.’’

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue encourages home owners and building owners to consider protecting their property and family members with fire sprinklers.  Fire sprinklers offer the most effective way to protect structures and people from building fires.  

Visit Clark Cowlitz Fire Rescue at www.clarkfr.org for more information about fire sprinklers.

 

Apartment Building, Residential

Spokane, WA – Kitchen fire extinguished by apartment sprinkler system

A kitchen fire was extinguished early Sunday by the Spokane County Fire Department. 

The fire was reported on E 55 Ave. as residents could see smoke coming out of the second floor of the building. The fire department said that the situation could have been much worse, as a sprinkler system installed in the building was able to control the fire until the authorities arrived. 

Apartment Building, Residential

Sequim, WA – Fire sprinkler system keeps apartment fire contained

 Fire burned at an apartment complex in Sequim last night.

About 7 PM, Fire District Three was called to reports of a fire in a unit at the Elk Creek Apartments. A tenant said flames were spreading in one unit.

Most of the complex’s tenants had evacuated by the time fire crews arrived. Officials say everyone had been alerted to a fire by audible fire alarms. A sprinkler system activated and kept the fire isolated.

Two units were damaged by fire, smoke, and water. No one was injured.

The Red Cross was also notified and responded to assist the displaced tenants.

Apartment Building, Residential

Auburn, WA – Fire sprinklers control apartment fire and limit damage

The streak began on Friday, Sept. 4, at 12:48 p.m., with a fire at the Gentry Walk Apartments, 12700 block of SE 312th St. in Auburn. Three adults, including one disabled female were displaced after a fire began in their apartment. The disabled female was not able to evacuate on her own and was carried out by firefighters. Fortunately, the building sprinkler system controlled this fire, limiting damage to approximately $5,000 in the affected unit.  An adjacent unit suffered a small amount of water damage. The cause is undetermined at this time.