Tag Archives: Wisconsin

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Kenosha, WI – Sprinkler system activated for fire at assisted living facility

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A sprinkler system in the attic of a Kenosha assisted living facility saved lives and limited damage in a Friday evening fire, according to a Kenosha Fire Department battalion chief. 

Firefighters were called to Azalea Pl. in the 8300 blk. of 14th Ave. around 10 p.m. Friday.

A fire which originated on the outside of the one-story structure got into the attic, setting off at least one sprinkler head and activating alarms, said Battalion Chief Ryan McNeely Saturday.

Residents and staff were safely evacuated, and the sprinkler system kept the fire in check until firefighters arrived.

Although the water collapsed a small part of the ceiling, the structure itself was not compromised, according to McNeely.

The 19 residents spent the night in a hotel in preparation for transfer to other area facilities run by the company, Frontida Assisted living.

McNeely praised the company for having an emergency response plan in place, and also noted the obvious benefits of having sprinklers in the attic. “It no doubt saved lives,” he said. Also, a fire door limited damage to one wing of the building.

The cause of the blaze has been narrowed to a pair of possibilities, although arson is not one of them, according to McNeely. For now, the cause will be listed as undetermined.

It’s not known how long it’ll take to repair the damage.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Madison, WI – Sprinkler system extinguishes 10th floor kitchen fire in high-rise building; No injuries reported

Everyone is safe following a fire in a downtown Madison high-rise thanks to the building’s automatic sprinkler system.  A single sprinkler extinguished the cooking fire in the 10th floor kitchen, preventing damage to the building and injuries to the people living there.

Firefighters were called to the YWCA on E. Mifflin Street at 3:30 pm Wednesday for an activated fire alarm. Engine 3 arrived on scene 4 minutes later and firefighters were told by residents coming down the stairs that there was a kitchen fire on the 10th floor.  The call was immediately upgraded to a structure fire response, bringing additional fire units to the scene.

Upon reaching the kitchen and seeing that the fire was extinguished, firefighters turned off the flow of water to the sprinkler and began cleaning up the water on the floor.

All residents and staff evacuated the building without injury.  Once it was deemed safe, residents were allowed to return to the building.

The fire caused approximately $5,000 in damage.  The American Red Cross assisted several residents by providing blankets, personal care items, and other emergency assistance.

Apartment Building, Residential

Oregon, WI – Sprinkler system activated for dryer fire at three-story multi-residential building; No injuries reported

On the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 1, the Oregon Area Fire & EMS District was alerted to a fire alarm in the 100 block of Wolfe Street in the Village of Oregon. According to a Monday, Sept. 9 OAFED news release, Engine 2 arrived on the scene to find a three-story multi-residential building.

Upon investigating the cause of the alarm activation, the crew was alerted to a water flow alarm on the third floor, as indicated on the fire alarm panel. A tenant also notified them that water was coming from the ceiling on the second floor.

Crews located an unoccupied third-floor apartment full of smoke and an activated sprinkler head in the washer and dryer area. The sprinkler activation was due to a dryer fire with clothing inside. There was minimal fire extension to the structure and area of origin.

Smoke and water damage were caused to the apartment involved and the apartment below. The loss value is estimated at $10,000. The crew also located a dog in the apartment that was not harmed in this incident.

“The OAFED would like to take this time to stress the importance of commercial and residential sprinkler systems, and the lives and property in which they protect,” said Fire Chief Glenn Linzmeier. “With the use of the sprinkler system, no residents were displaced and no injuries were reported. It is also very important to remind everyone not to leave their appliances running unattended, such as dehumidifiers, dishwashers, and clothes dryers – this is a common cause of fires and can be easily prevented.

“As we move toward Fire Prevention Month, we encourage you to ensure that your houses are equipped with functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and that the batteries are changed twice a year.”

Apartment Building, Residential

Madison, WI – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

The Madison Fire Department said Saturday crews were dispatched to an apartment fire on Madison’s west side, only to find that the fire had already been extinguished by a sprinkler head in the unit.

The MFD said crews responded to a fire alarm report at Segoe Terrace Apartments, an 8-story building. While MFD units were on the way, several residents from the building called 911 and reported there was smoke visible on the 4th floor.

Upon arrival, the MFD said firefighters immediately checked the 4th floor and reported heat and water coming from inside one of the dwelling units. Engine 9 reported upon entry that not only had the resident evacuated the affected unit, and other residents had evacuated theirs, but the fire in the unit was already extinguished by a sprinkler head.

The MFD said fire damage was contained to only one unit. However, water from the sprinkler system seeped into several units and offices on the first, second, third, and fourth floors. The building’s property management and maintenance team, along with a property restoration company, responded to the scene.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the MFD said no damage estimate is available at this time. No injuries were reported.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Madison, WI – Sprinkler system activated for fire at senior housing facility; No injuries reported

A sprinkler system helped save lives and limit property damage after a fire broke out in a senior housing facility on Tuesday, according to the Madison Fire Department.

Firefighters were called around 3 p.m. to the 900 block of North High Point Road for a smoke detector going off and smoke in an apartment.

Spokesperson Cynthia Schuster said the 3-story 170-unit apartment building has a fire sprinkler system, which activated in a second floor apartment.

As firefighters arrived, residents were evacuating, Schuster reported. A sprinkler was activated in the kitchen area, which controlled the fire. Moderate smoke conditions were present.

Firefighters used their water can extinguisher to complete extinguishment and ventilated the apartment.

Schuster said fire sprinkler systems save lives, and reduce injuries and property loss.

No one was hurt as a result of the fire.

Apartment Building, Residential

Madison, WI – Sprinkler system prevents porch fire from spreading; No injuries reported

A water sprinkler prevented a porch fire from spreading at an east side apartment complex Tuesday, Madison Fire Department reports.

According to MFD, firefighters responded around 5:45 a.m. to the 2500 block of Winnebago Street.

When firefighters arrived on scene, authorities said they saw smoke showing from a first-floor porch and people were evacuating the building.

Once the fire was out, firefighters checked to see if the fire had spread into the apartment, but it did not.

The fire damaged flowerpots, a rug and patio furniture. No one was injured.

Authorities said the exact cause of the fire is unknown. But law enforcement said based on evidence found at the scene, the fire may have been caused by improperly discarded smoking materials or by a citronella candle.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Fond Du Lac, WI – Sprinkler system extinguishes kitchen fire at strip mall

A fire at a Fond du Lac strip mall was quickly extinguished, thanks to a sprinkler system, officials said Tuesday.

According to Fond du Lac Fire Rescue, crews were dispatched just before 11 a.m. Saturday for a commercial fire alarm and water flow alarm at 325 Winnebago Drive.

FDLFR said a single fire sprinkler head had been activated in the kitchen area of Fast Taco, located at 335 Winnebago Drive. The sprinkler put out the fire that had occurred on a two-burner cook top, resulting in minimal water and soot damage to Fast Taco and one adjacent business.

Officials say the fire was caused by unattended cooking. The fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems were restored. Business representatives and building owners are working to restore business operations.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Kiel, WI – Sprinkler system activated for fire at foundry; No injuries reported

A fire was reported at the Kiel Foundry over the weekend.

The Kiel Fire Department reports that crews were dispatched to the business in the 300 block of Park Avenue just before 7:00 Friday evening after a citizen noticed fire alarms were sounding and smoke was coming through the roof.

Firefighters arrived on the scene and forced entry into the building.

They were able to control the fire within 30 minutes of arrival, with help from the sprinkler system and additional units that arrived from around the area.

The fire was said to have started in the ceiling, but the exact cause is not known at this time.

No injuries were reported and there is no damage cost estimate available as of this morning.

Kiel Fire was assisted at the scene by Elkhart Lake, New Holstein, Plymouth, Glenbeulah, St. Anna, and St. Nazianz fire teams along with Manitowoc County Joint Dispatch, Kiel Police, the Kiel Department of Public Works, and by the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Appleton, WI – Sprinkler system activated for building fire; No injuries reported

The Appleton Fire Department credits working fire alarms and sprinkler systems with limiting damage from a fire downtown Friday.

Firefighters were dispatched to a building in the 100 block of College Avenue around 10:30 p.m. by a fire alarm.

Fire crews faced heavy smoke and limited visibility but were able to bring the fire under control within five minutes thanks to the building’s sprinkler system.

Damage is estimated to be $35,000. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Apartment Building, Residential

Madison, WI – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at apartment complex

At 5:11 a.m., April 13th, Madison’s Fire Station Eight was dispatched to 4016 Nakoosa Trail for an activated fire alarm.

While the firefighters were en route, a 911 call came in, detailing smoke in the hallway, which elicited a full structure fire response.

Residents were evacuating the area when Engine 8 arrived at 5:17 a.m. One of the outside occupants stated that a fire had broken out in their unit. Upon investigation, the firefighters confirmed the fire was extinguished by the automatic sprinkler system.

The fire team shut down electricity to the apartment and assisted with water removal from the first-floor hallways. Three other units were affected by the water, though its occupants were not displaced.

The occupant of the fire unit was taken to the hospital, evaluated, and has since been released.

The apartment where the fire occurred is currently deemed uninhabitable, and the American Red Cross is assisting the displaced occupant.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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