Saturday, November 8, 2014

Sprinklers control fire at drug treatment facility until firefighters arrive (Yakima, WA)

A man suspected of setting a fire in the bathroom of a drug treatment facility has been arrested, according to Yakima police. The man, who was not identified, was arrested Friday morning in connection with the Oct. 28 fire at Connections Treatment Center. Police say a fire set in the bathroom of an apartment unit on the first floor was contained by an automatic sprinkler system until fire crews could arrive and extinguish it. Damage was described as minimal and the facility’s more than 40 occupants evacuated without injury.

Sprinkler system possibly saved resident's life in apartment fire, according to fire department (Mankato, MN)

Firefighters reported a sprinkler system in the complex in the 100 block of Glenwood Avenue possibly saved a resident's life and greatly reduced damage to the apartment, said Don Lehne of the Mankato Department of Public Safety. Two sprinklers kept the fire from spreading to other apartments.

Sprinklers control fire, limit damage in fire at multi-use complex (Pawtucket, RI)

A small fire in a third-floor space of the Hope Artiste Village complex was put out by firefighters Wednesday night. Battalion Chief Joseph Murray said that the fire started on a wood floor that was being renovated, triggering the sprinkler system. Murray said the sprinklers contained the fire to about a 15-foot section of floor. The floor was unoccupied and there were no injuries, said Murray. The complex houses shops, workshop studio apartments and other businesses in a 19th-century mill complex.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Another nursing home fire put out by sprinkler system, no one injured (Louisville, KY)

A fire at a nursing home, called Christian Health Center West, led to the evacuation of residents on Monday. Officials said the fire started in the attic, but was located above the kitchen and cafeteria area. They evacuated 84 of the nursing homes residents. No one suffered from any smoke inhalation and the fire did not damage anyone's room. The sprinkler system did leave water damage and it's unclear whether some of the residents will be able to stay in their rooms Monday night. At this point, the fire department says it looks like an electrical fire but arson is still being investigated.

Apartment balcony fire extinguished by sprinklers (Columbus, IN)

A second-floor balcony at Riverstone Apartments was damaged after discarded smoking materials in a plastic container ignited a wooden flower box, Columbus firefighters said. The fire was reported at about 5 p.m., fire investigator Matt Noblitt said. The apartment's sprinkler system immediately kicked on, dousing the fire and preventing damage, Noblitt said. The fire was out when firefighters arrived.

Sprinklers suppress fire at critical care facility for the elderly and disabled (Toms River, NJ)

A sprinkler system suppressed a fire at Dover Woods Health Care Center Monday night, according to officials. No injuries were reported, according to a Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention statement.  Dover Woods, which has 232 rooms, is home to elderly and disabled residents, people recovering from alcohol and drug addictions, homeless people, and patients discharged from state psychiatric facilities.  Fire sprinklers were installed in the building after its use was changed from residential to institutional, following the 2005 fatal fire, according to the Toms River statement.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Fire at coffee shop doused by sprinklers, store expected to re-open tomorrow (Rochester, NY)

Firefighters were called to Spot Coffee, at the intersection of East Avenue and Matthews Street, around 10:15 p.m. At the scene, crews found some boxes in a storeroom had caught fire, but the sprinkler system had knocked down the flames. Workers, customers and some residents evacuated the building. No one was injured and the restaurant should be able to re-open tomorrow.

Suspected arson fire at Benihana Japanese Steakhouse controlled with help from sprinkler system (Short Hills, NJ)

A 19-year-old township resident has been arrested in connection with a suspicious fire that occurred last week at the restaurant he worked at on Morris Turnpike, authorities said.  Firefighters responded to a report of smoke in the restaurant at about 9:30 p.m., authorities said. The patrons had evacuated the building of their own accord and firefighters noticed a moderate amount of smoke in the dining area, according to an incident report. The majority of the fire was contained by a sprinkler, and firefighters extinguished the remaining portion, the report says. No injuries were reported.

Radisson hotel fire put out by automatic sprinkler system (Covington, KY)

At 6:38 a.m. guests at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel in Covington get a terrifying wake-up call.
"The linnen room on the 17th floor was on fire."  The hotel was quickly evacuated. Fire fighters say the building's sprinkler system snuffed out flames and prevented it from spreading. Smoke and water damage was minimal.

Middle of night apartment fire extinguished by single sprinkler (Savannah, GA)

Savannah firefighters are investigating a blaze downtown which forced several people out of their apartments overnight. About 1:30am Thursday, firefighters were called to the apartment house in the 400 block of West Congress Street. The building also houses B&B Billiards. When firefighters arrived, they found smoke inside the apartment house and a sprinkler had been set off in one of the rooms. The water from the sprinkler had put out a fire on the third floor.

Sprinklers put out early morning fire, keep fire from spreading (Phoenix, AZ)

An Ahwatukee business suffered a fire early Monday morning, prompting a lot of smoke in the area.
Fire crews were called to the Harem Lounge near 48th Street and Ray Road overnight after a fire broke out. The sprinkler system was able to successfully put out the fire.  Luckily, nearby businesses, like an AMC movie theater located in the same strip mall, were spared from the fire spreading.

Arson fire at hospital extinguished by automatic fire sprinkler system (Juneau, AK)

Juneau police say a 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fire at Bartlett Regional Hospital.  Police say a 911 call from the hospital earlier Sunday reported that smoke, ashes and water were coming from a locked bathroom near the main lobby on the second floor.  Police say the sprinkler system had extinguished the fire.

Sprinkler system helps contain warehouse fire (Kearny, NJ)

A two-alarm fire broke out inside a Kearny warehouse early this morning and was contained within an hour, fire officials said. Kearny Fire Chief Steve Dyl said the blaze started in a storage room in the facility at 20 Basin Drive, located on the Hackensack Riverfront. The fire was reported at 2:16 a.m. Dyl said, adding that the building's sprinkler system helped contain the fire.  Dyl said the fire sparked because products were stored too close to a heating source.

Suspected arson fire at popular cafe controlled by sprinkler system (Fairfield, CT)

Fairfield police and fire officials have launched a “significant investigation” into a blaze at the Seagrape Cafe on Reef Road that was originally believed to be accidental but now appears to be arson, officials said Monday.

At 4:45 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, Fairfield Fire Department received a water flow alarm from the Seagrape Cafe, indicating a sprinkler system had been activated, Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Tracy said.  Engine 1 responded to a small alleyway behind the Seagrape that directly abuts the Inn at Fairfield Beach about six minutes after the alarm, reports said. According to fire officials, Engine 1 was able to feed a hose through an exhaust fan in the back of the building that was off of the room where the fire was being “kept in check” by the Seagrape’s sprinkler system.

Monday, November 3, 2014

Sprinklers minimize fire damage in overnight restaurant fire (Salem, OR)

A fire at Thai Orchid in Liberty Plaza set off the restaurant's sprinkler system Sunday night. The fire was reported at 10:15 p.m., according to Salem Fire Battalion Chief Frank Stephenson, who was on the scene. He said Thai Orchid's sprinkler system quickly extinguished the fire.  There were no injuries.

Sprinkler system helps save retirement home from fire, no injuries (Kennewick, WA)

Several local fire crews were called to the Hawthorne Court retirement home at about 7PM Sunday night due to a fire in the J wing of the facility. When crews arrived, there was black smoke coming from the building, but the building's sprinkler system held the fire in check until firefighters could put it out. The fire may have started near a wall mounted air conditioning unit.

Early morning apartment fire put out by sprinkler system (Sioux Falls, SD)

Sioux Falls Fire Rescue responded to a structure fire at this three-story business and apartment building in downtown Sioux Falls around 4:30 AM Sunday. Firefighters said the fire started in a kitchen on the third floor apartment, but the sprinkler system quickly kicked in and put out the fire, containing the small amount of damage to the one apartment kitchen. All of the tenants were able to safely exit the building.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Single sprinkler saves blind man in high-rise apartment fire (St. Paul, MN)

A stove top fire, which consumed the cabinet and crawled up the wall of a blind St. Paul man’s apartment, was extinguished by a single fire sprinkler. The man said he had accidentally left a plastic tray touching the burner and left the room while he was cooking a late lunch, according to a St. Paul Fire Department release. Firefighters responded to the blaze shortly after 3 p.m. on Oct. 30. The fire was in a high-rise apartment building at 1300 Wilson Avenue, owned by St. Paul’s Public Housing Agency. The fire department said the incident demonstrates the extreme effectiveness of sprinklers in putting out fires.

Fire at resort hotel and spa doused by sprinkler system (Lake Geneva, WI)

Several local fire departments responded to The Cove Thursday night after a fire was detected in the sauna on the lower level pool area.  The call came in at about 7 p.m.

"We pulled the Box Alarm because of the size and occupancy of the structure,” Lake Geneva Deputy Fire Chief Dan Derrick said. “Fortunately, the fire sprinkler functioned exactly at it was designed to, which prevented a much more serious fire from causing extensive damage."

Sprinkler system saves sorority house from further damage (Greencastle, IN)

Delta Gamma sorority suffers fire during break: On Thursday Oct. 23, Facilities Management was doing routine maintenance work when the air conditioning unit in a room when it caught fire. The cause for the fire has yet to be determined.