Sprinklers stop fire from spreading at small business (Forest Grove, OR)

Forest Grove firefighter Matt Johnston said crews initially responded to an alarm at Oregon Holiday Products around 4 a.m. and found smoke at the building at 2331 23rd Ave.  Oregon Holiday Products makes scented pine cones for the holidays, and that involves cleaning the cones and applying cinnamon scent, plus packaging the product. Fire officials said the numerous bags of pine cones made it difficult for firefighters to operate. There's no word yet on what caused the fire. Johnston said a sprinkler system played a big role in stopping the fire from spreading.

Sprinkler system suppresses fire at school (Klawock, AK)

Fireworks ignited a small fire outside the Naukati School in Klawock, Alaska State Troopers say.
Around 10 p.m. Saturday, someone noticed a small pile of debris outside the school had caught fire. The sprinkler system was activated and the fire was quickly extinguished, according to an online post by troopers.  After investigating, officials determined two juveniles had been shooting off fireworks in and around school property.  One of the fireworks hit the school and then landed into the pile of combustible material, igniting the fire.

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2013/07/29/2998058/fireworks-spark-small-fire-outside.html#storylink=cpy

Sprinkler System Extinguishes Fire at Apartment Building (Edina, MN)

An apartment fire last Thursday on the 7200 block of York Avenue was swiftly extinguished by the building's sprinkler system.  As Edina's fire department blog pointed out, the incident came a little more than a year after a 2012 apartment fire, in a sprinkler-less building, caused major damage and injured three.

Restaurant fire controlled thanks to fire sprinklers (Lynchburg, VA)

A passerby noticed smoke coming from a restaurant late July 28 and called fire crews. When officials arrived, they found the fire had been completely put out by the building's fire sprinklers. The cause of the fire was a cooking fryer, which had not been turned off.

Sprinklers extinguish fire in commercial building (Springfield, IL)

Springfield firefighters were called to a commercial building at 631 E. Adams Street early today after a small fire broke out on the third floor. Firefighters from nearby Station 1 at Ninth Street and Capitol Avenue responded to the alarm in less than three minutes. They arrived about 1 a.m. to find light smoke and water flowing from the sprinklers. The sprinklers had contained the blaze to the closet and extinguished the flames. It appeared that the fire had started in a pile of debris.

Sprinklers keep apartment aquarium fire in check (Newport Beach, CA)

The fire was reported about 8:30 p.m. at a second-floor unit inside the Baypoint Apartments complex. The residents of the apartment that caught fire were not home when the blaze started, but a fire alarm notified neighbors, according to Newport Beach Fire Captain Glenn White. "Newport Beach Fire investigators initial findings indicate electronic equipment providing power to an aquarium was the cause of this fire," Glenn said in a released statement. When firefighters arrived on scene they found one room on fire that was "being held in check by the activation of the automatic sprinkler system," Glenn reported.

Sprinklers control engine/pumper fire at volunteer fire department (Vernon Township, PA)

"If it hadn't been for the fire alarm system and the sprinklers, we'd have been in deep trouble," said Tom Benak, a trustee and an assistant chief with Vernon Central Hose Co.  The fire, which occured around 11:45 PM on Tuesday night, was ruled accidental due to an electrical wiring malfunction in the crew compartment area behind the driver's seat.

Sprinkler system douses townhouse kitchen fire (Langley, BC)

Langley Township firefighters were called in at about 4:30 p.m. to the home in the 8900 block of Walnut Grove Drive, said assistant fire chief Bruce Ferguson. The fire was caused by a stove left on, Ferguson said. The building's sprinklers largely doused the flames.
** Blog Editor's Note -- Please tell us what you think of the media coverage by Matthew Claxton at the Langley Advance.  Sprinkler systems work to save lives and reduce property damage by controlling or extinguishing fires when they are small, prior to flashover. **

Sprinklers aid firefighters at storage facility (Chatsworth, CA)

A fire in a Chatsworth storage facility today was put out by a sprinkler system, with help from firefighters. Two 6-by-8-foot wooden containers were reported on fire at 2:28 p.m., fire department spokesman Brian Humphrey said. "The containers were stored on tall racks and firefighters used the sprinklers to contain the fire to those crates until they could put it out," Humphrey said.

Hotel fire eliminated by fire sprinkler (Las Vegas, NV)

A fire sprinkler eradicated a fire which began in the bathroom of a Stratosphere Hotel room on July 11. The fire was limited to the bathroom, and no one was injured. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Condominium fire contained by fire sprinklers (Coconut Creek, FL)

A welding fire broke out in the garage of a condominium July 10. Despite the confusion of other residents on whether to evacuate, no one was injured by the blaze thanks to the unit's fire sprinkler system, which limited the fire to the garage area until firefighters arrived.

Fire sprinklers limit damage in apartment fire (Wichita, VA)

Fire crews arrived to a reported apartment fire to find a contained fire in the bedroom of an unoccupied unit. The fire sprinkler had activated to keep the fire confined to the bedroom area, and firefighters put out the remaining flames. No one was injured in the incident.

Rubber manufacturing plant fire limited thanks to fire sprinklers (Ceredo, WV)

A fire broke out in an oven at a rubber manufacturing plant the morning of July 15, and the building's fire sprinklers and fire crews kept the fire confined to the oven and ventilation system. Within 10 minutes of the fire crews arriving to the scene, the fire was completely out. No injuries were reported.

Library arson fire controlled by sprinkler system (Brooksville, FL)

Firefighters were called to the East Hernando Branch Library in Brooksville on July 6 to put out a small fire. While no one was hurt, the smoke activated the building's sprinkler system, damaging much of the inventory.

(*** BLOG EDITOR'S NOTE - Only the substantial heat from potentially deadly and damaging fire will operate a fire sprinkler, not smoke.  This fire was likely kept small due to the sprinkler system, which helped limit the damage to this structure)

Sprinkler system helps to limit damage at historic church (Albany, NY)

The fire was discovered just after 2 a.m. at Willamette Community Church by a pastor who found smoke after he responded to a security alarm.  Albany Fire Marshal Michael Trabue said the damage was limited to the interior of the church. According to Trabue, the building will require some structural repairs, but the damage was not widespread thanks in part to the basement’s fire sprinkler system. There were no injuries. The cause remains under investigation.

Laundry fire extinguished thanks to sprinkler system and firefighters (Madison, NJ)

The Pfizer offices at 5 Giralda Farms were evacuated Friday morning after a fire started in a dryer and filled part of the building with smoke, Madison's fire chief said. The fire started in the Pfizer gym's laundry room around 10:40 a.m. and filled the workout and adjoining areas with smoke, Fire Chief Lou DeRosa said. A sprinkler went off in the laundry room and Madison firefighters extinguished the blaze.

High school gymnasium fire controlled by sprinkler head (Rapid City, SD)

In the early morning hours of July 18, 2013 RCFD responded to a fire alarm at St. Thomas More High School. First arriving Engine Company reported smoke and water coming from one of the Gym doors. A fire had started just inside the door where remnants from the gym floor refinishing were being stored. A lone sprinkler head activated as it was designed and held the fire to that area, reducing the potential for fire loss to the school.

Sprinkler aids firefighters in apartment bedroom fire (New Braunfels, TX)

New Braunfels Fire officials are investigating a small fire that started inside a bedroom at an apartment complex yesterday afternoon. When firefighters arrived, they found that the fire had been contained to a single bedroom inside one of the units, but it had triggered the apartment's sprinkler system, keeping the fire under control.  No one was injured in the fire.

Single sprinkler helps control apartment fire (Abington, MA)

No one was injured after a fire broke out at 2 Forsyth Drive in Abington. That address houses a 15-unit, three-story apartment complex according to Abington Fire Chief John Nuttall. Everyone was evacuated, and one sprinkler head inside helped to contain the flames according to Nuttall. While the fire is under investigation, Nuttall said that it looks accidental and that it started from the outside of the apartment complex.

Official credits sprinkler system in fire at Rose Acre Farms (Seymour, IN)

A Rose Acre Farms official credits a sprinkler system installed after a fire last year with reducing damage from a fire that erupted Wednesday. The cause of Wednesday’s fire, which forced the closure of a soybean processing plant at Rose Acre west of Seymour, remains under investigation.

Sprinklers suppress fire at landfill (Nantucket, MA)

A fire broke out inside a building at the Madaket landfill last Wednesday night, but was suppressed by a sprinkler system and quickly brought under control by Nantucket firefighters. The blaze was first reported around 7:30 p.m.

Fire at rug manufacturer confined by sprinkler system (Anderson, SC)

Firefighters were called to the Orian Rugs plant in Anderson County at about 6:15 AM Wednesday  after a small fire broke out, according to Anderson County Fire Chief Billy Gibson. Gibson said the plant's sprinkler system was able to confine and help put out the fire, which was in an office near a sample room.  Firefighters believe an electrical short may have sparked the fire.  Orian Rugs is a family-owned manufacturer of rugs and was established in Anderson in 1979.

Processing plant fire halted by fire sprinklers (Cortland, IN)

A fire that began in a soybean processing plant was limited thanks to the farm's fire sprinkler system. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and no injuries were reported.

Fire sprinkler system knocks down apartment fire (Portsmouth, NH)

A stovetop burner that was left on started a fire in a basement level apartment on July 18. The apartment's fire sprinkler system activated to eliminate the flames, and no one was injured from the incident.

Single sprinkler activates to contain fire in high school gym (Rapid City, IA)

A fire broke out in the storage area of a high school gym in the early morning of July 18. Responding fire crews discovered a fire that was contained by one of the school's sprinkler heads, keeping the wooden gym floor and bleachers safe from any damage. Remnants of the newly refinished gym floor were being stored in this room. There were no injuries reported in the incident.

College housing fire put out by fire sprinkler (Philadelphia, PA)

When a fire broke out in an unattended unit in a college housing building, fire sprinklers activated and eliminated the fire. The cause of the fire was a blender set on top of an oven that had been left on. No injuries were reported.

"[We're] very fortunate to have fire sprinkler systems in all of the College Houses — they did their job," said Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush.

Medical center fire eliminated by sprinklers (Washington, DC)

The fire sprinklers in a medical center quickly put out a fire which began in one of its rooms. No injuries were reported.

Fire at Wal-Mart Store Controlled by Sprinkler System (Oklahoma City, OK)

A fire in a McDonald's restaurant located inside the Wal-Mart store at 7800 Northwest Expressway in northwest Oklahoma City Wednesday is out, according to fire radio reports. Employees inside the store were able to extinguish the fire. A sprinkler system was activated and firefighters mopped water and ventilated the building.

Sprinklers ensure cooking fire ends in apartment (Rochester, MN)

When a fire erupted in an apartment kitchen, the fire sprinklers quickly activated to douse the flames. Residents of the apartment building evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

"This was a case where the sprinkler system probably saved the building," said Larry Mueller, the assistant fire marshal.

Strip mall saved from extensive damage thanks to fire sprinkler (Lakewood, NJ)

Fire and rescue responded to reports of a fire in one of the buildings in a strip mall. When they arrived, they found smoke coming from the eaves of the building and fire inside it, which was controlled to one area by the suite's fire sprinkler. According to fire crews, had the building not had a fire sprinkler system installed, the damage to that building would have been much greater and would most likely have affected the other four businesses in the strip mall as well. According to reports, there were no injuries.

Processing plant fire reduced to smoke thanks to fire sprinklers (Sioux Falls, SD)

Fire crews responded to a meat processing plant fire that was spotted by a bystander the night of July 12 to find the flames gone and just a little smoke. Firefighters credited the plant's fire sprinkler system, which doused the fire that started near a cardboard box on the sixth floor. No one was reported injured by the fire.

Hotel fire shut down by sprinkler (Colorado Springs, CO)

When a fire occurred in one of the rooms in a hotel room the night of July 13, firefighters reported that the hotel's fire sprinkler system quickly eliminated the blaze. Guests were evacuated and allowed to return shortly after the firefighters ensured that no danger was present. No injuries were reported.

Fire sprinklers contain fire at shelter (Appleton, WI)

A child who was playing with a lighter started a fire on the third floor bedroom of a domestic abuse shelter. Fire sprinklers kept the fire from spreading until firefighters arrived to eliminate it completely. No injuries were reported.

Fire sprinklers activate to keep storage facility fire in check (Watsonville, CA)

A fire that broke out in a storage facility during the early morning hours of July 10 was controlled by  a single fire sprinkler. Fire crews arrived, cutting through locked rolling doors to get to the blaze, and put out the rest of the fire. No injuries were reported.

Sprinklers credited with minimizing fire damage and safety of residents in apartment fire (Cookeville, TN)

A grease fire that began in a two story apartment building set off the alarm notifying residents to evacuate the premises. The fire sprinkler, which had limited the flames to the apartment kitchen, put out the fire by the time fire crews arrived to the scene.

Fire Department Lt. Marvin Montgomery stated, “We figure the total damage at around $7,000, but if that building had burned, it would have been a million dollars. And when you think about the water damage from the sprinkler, just remember things will dry out, but they will never unburn.”

No one was injured in this incident.

Apartment fire contained by single sprinkler head (Manassas, KS)

Investigators are still trying to find the cause of a fire which began in a bedroom apartment; the end of the fire, however, is not in question. A single fire sprinkler head activated and kept the fire from spreading. No one was injured.

Parts manufacturing plant fire controlled by it's fire sprinkler system (Cookeville, TN)

A fire broke out in a large motor that helps manufacture water heater parts, and the synthetic oil used to cool the motor then caught fire. The heat from the fire activated the plant's fire sprinkler system, which then contained the fire until fire crews arrived and eliminated the remaining flames. No one was reported injured in the fire.

Sprinkler system allows family time to evacuate safety from their apartment (Perryville, MD)

Investigators are crediting a sprinkler system with taming the flames before they spread throughout the residence, leaving responding firefighters with little to do but vent theplace and perform a safety check, fire officials reported.  The occupants at that time — a mother and her two children — were able to safely escape the townhouse after discovering thefire.  The fire detective also reported,“Damages were minimal and the family was able to remain inside their home for the night.”

Sprinkler activates to halt storage room fire in chemical supply building (Bristol Township, PA)

A chemical supply company had a fire erupt in it's storage room the afternoon of July 4. The building, which was closed at the time, had a fire sprinkler system that quickly kicked in to contain the fire to the storage room. Fire crews blamed the fire on a short in the light fixture in the room, which then started the cardboard in the room on fire. No injuries were reported, and no chemicals were released.

Automobile distribution center fire eliminated by fire sprinkler (Simi Valley, CA)

Fire sprinklers quickly doused a fire that began in an automobile distribution center the morning of July 4. Investigators are searching for the cause of the fire, and no one was injured in the incident.

Sprinklers make the difference in manufacturing plant fire (Ashland, OR)

Fire alarms sounded at about 4:30 a.m. Sunday alerting Ashland Fire and Rescue to a fire at a manufacturer of electric vehicles.  The sprinkler heads only activated in the area of the fire, suppressing it to the room of origin and keeping it from spreading throughout the building holding $2.5 million worth of equipment, said Ashland Fire Battalion Chief Dana Sallee.  "It's amazing how little damage was caused. The sprinkler system saved this building," said Sallee.  "Fire sprinklers save lives, protect property and makes the fire department's job a lot easier," said Sallee.

Small fire suppressed by sprinklers at apartment complex (Spartanburg, SC)

A minor fire at an apartment complex was suppressed by the automatic sprinkler system.  According to the fire chief, who said the sprinkler system did exactly what it was supposed to do.  ***Blog Editor's Note - Please let us know what you think of the coverage by the FOX Carolina and journalist Joseph Pereira, who focused on water damage rather than the lives and property saved by the automatic fire sprinkler system. ***

Fire sprinklers help firefighters control blaze at home goods store (Chula Vista, CA)

A customer was able to catch a video of the fire that grew up the racks of a home goods store the afternoon of July 2nd. Investigators, however, are still unsure of what caused the blaze that was doused thanks to fire sprinklers and fire crews. No injuries were reported.

Sprinklers prove worth in hotel fire (Warrenville, IL)

A fire that began in the fifth floor of a hotel room the morning of June 29 was almost completely eliminated by the hotel's fire sprinkler system. Fire crews arrived and put out the rest of the flames; no injuries were reported.