Other - Residential, Residential

Crystal Lake, IL – Sprinkler system held fire in check at residential complex; No injuries reported

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Fire officials are crediting fire alarms and sprinklers for preventing further damage or loss of life during a garage fire at a residential complex in Crystal Lake early Thursday morning.

Battalion Chief Brian Tamason of the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department said firefighters were called to a 6-unit complex on Ambassador Circle for an activated fire alarm at 1:17 a.m. Thursday.

Upon arrival, fire crews rapidly identified the activated fire alarm in building 406 and observed smoke showing from an east-side garage door.

Building 406 is a large two-story multifamily residence where units are side-by-side.

Battalion 3 established command and upgraded the response to a working fire while fire crews quickly located a small fire in a garage, Tamason said.

Fire crews noted the small fire was being held in check by an operating residential sprinkler system, which prevented further fire growth and extension.

Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire, Tamason said, reporting the fire was out at 1:36 a.m.

Smoke, fire, and water damage were isolated to the single two-car garage, Tamason said. The estimated loss to the property is $5,000.

No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.

Tamason said all residential units at this location remain habitable and no residents were displaced because of the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Tamason said the fire serves as a powerful example of the life-saving importance of fire sprinkler systems.

Nationally, fire sprinklers are estimated to control or extinguish approximately 52,800 fires each year, he said, Tamason said.

In this incident, the fire was held in check by the building’s sprinkler system, resulting in minimal damage and no civilian injuries.

Because the fire was contained, Tamason said the resident was able to safely return home without being displaced.

Area fire departments, including Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District, Cary Fire Protection District, Huntley Fire Protection District, McHenry Township Fire Protection District, Nunda Rural Fire Protection District, and Wauconda Fire District, were dispatched to the scene to assist.

Carpentersville Fire Department and the Woodstock Fire and Rescue Districts worked to handle change of quarters duties for the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department.

Other - Retail, Retail

Pittsburg, KS – Sprinkler system contains fire at Fireworks store; No injuries reported

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At 10:23 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, the Pittsburg Fire Department received a report of a structure fire at Jake’s Fireworks located at 1506 E 27th Terrace.

The fire was near a workbench in the mechanics shop on east side of building. The fire was quickly extinguished, and crews began ventilating the area. The fire was contained to the room of origin with the activation of a sprinkler system.

There were no injuries reported.

The Pittsburg Police Department and Pittsburg Fire Department were immediately dispatched to the scene. Frontenac Fire Department was dispatched as mutual aid. Evergy and Kansas Gas were also on scene to assist.

The Kansas Fire Marshall and Pittsburg Fire Department conducted a join inspection of the full property.

Apartment Building, Residential

Battle Creek, MI – Sprinkler system activated for apartment fire; No injuries reported

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No injuries were reported in an apartment fire Wednesday, Jan. 28, in Battle Creek, according to a statement from the city.

The Battle Creek Fire Department was initially called for a fire alarm at 183 West St. at 11 a.m. The incident was upgraded to a structure fire when a second alarm was activated.

The BCFD’s Rescue 2 arrived within three minutes and made their way to the fifth floor, while Car 3 arrived on scene and established command. Once Rescue 2 reached the apartment unit and made entry, they discovered that the sprinkler system had activated and located a fire in the kitchen.

Rescue 2 quickly extinguished the fire, while Engine 1 assisted with advancing hose, Engine 3 brought fans up to ventilate the floor, and Rescue 6 took control of the water to the sprinkler system, according to the city.

Due to the quick action of the crews and the sprinkler system, the fire was contained to the kitchen area of the apartment unit, where it started. There was no fire damage to any other areas of the building.

Athletic Club/Sports Facility, Other Business

Nashua, NH – Sprinkler system activated for attic fire at country club

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An attic fire activated sprinklers at Nashua Country Club, causing extensive interior water damage.

At approximately 7:30.a.m. Nashua Fire Rescue responded to a report of smoke in the building from a property rep at 25 Fairway Street, The Nashua Country Club.

Engine 2 was first to arrive and established command and met the property rep who stated that there was a fire in the attic. Ladder 2 arrived and reported a sprinkler activation. C4 arrived and assumed command.

E4 arrived and assisted with water supply and additional suppression. Units were able to access the attic in two locations and discovered a partially extinguished fire being held in check by the sprinkler system. E2 reported the fire knocked down and the sprinklers were shut down. Ladder 2 opened up a small portion of the roof to allow for ventilation. Crews remained on scene with extensive salvage and overhaul

The building sustained extensive water damage.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Nashua Fire Marshal’s Office.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Plainfield, IL – Kitchen fire contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

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The Plainfield Fire Protection District says a fire damaged the HopScotch and Vine restaurant Wednesday.

The restaurant is located in the 24000 block of West Lockport Street.

Fire officials say the building’s sprinkler system helped keep the fire largely contained to the kitchen area. Crews were able to extinguish the fire and ventilate the building.

Everyone inside the restaurant, as well as neighboring units, was able to evacuate safely.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Damage is estimated at approximately $100,000.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Winston-Salem, NC – Sprinkler system contains high-rise trash chute fire

A fire broke out in a trash chute at a high-rise building located at 801 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. in Winston-Salem.

The blaze was effectively contained by a sprinkler head, preventing further spread.

Emergency Medical Services transported one patient from the scene.

Residents were instructed to shelter in place as smoke removal efforts are currently underway.

Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential

Watertown, NY – Sprinkler system activated for dryer fire at university dorm; No injuries reported

A sprinkler system is getting the credit for preventing a fire from causing severe damage and injuries at a St. Lawrence University dorm over the weekend.

Canton firefighters rushed to a third-floor laundry room at Whitman Hall late Sunday afternoon.

Officials said they found the remnants of a fire in a dryer. The sprinkler system had activated, keeping the flames from spreading.

“Had the sprinkler system not been in place, the fire would have gained a much more significant foothold, resulting in much more damage to the building and the potential for injuries to the residents. The benefits of fire sprinklers was realized today, even though there was some water damage. Everything will dry out, nothing unburns,” the fire department said on its Facebook page.

Officials said students were evacuated from the dorm. There were no injuries.

Firefighters checked rooms on all three floors of that wing of the dorm for water damage before turning over the building to SLU for cleanup.

SLU said approximately 20 students have been displaced by the damage.

“The affected area of the building remains secured while the University continues to assess smoke and water damage. Students who were living in the north wing have been temporarily relocated to alternate rooms or other accommodations within Whitman Hall,” said university spokesperson Kim Asch in a statement.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Front Royal, VA – Fire suppression system activated for propane gas leak fire; No injuries reported

Warren County Fire and Rescue reported the response to the South Street Martins Grocery store yesterday afternoon for a reported fire alarm activation.

Authorities that arrived on scene identified a sprinkler head that was activated and water that was flowing into the building in a utilities control area on the second floor.

It was determined after an investigation that a propane gas leak occurred and ignited.

The fire was extinguished prior to the arrival of authorities by the buildings fire suppression system.

Units successfully secured water and electrical service to the area affected.

Both the Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office and Warren County Building Official’s Office conducted an assessment ensuring the safety of the building for continued occupancy.

After two hours the fire suppression system was functional and all hazards were isolated.

There were no injuries to report.

Apartment Building, Residential

Charleston, SC – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

Officials said an apartment fire was extinguished by a single fire sprinkler before crews arrived Friday evening.

Crews with the Charleston Fire Department were called to the Element at Carolina Bay Apartments just before 7 p.m. after automatic sprinklers were activated, Deputy Chief Michael Julazadeh said.

Firefighters arrived to find an extinguished fire in one of the apartments in the three-story building. Julazadeh said the fire was suppressed by a single fire sprinkler head.

Investigators with the Fire Marshal’s Office were called to review the incident. They said the fire started on a mattress in a bedroom of the unoccupied apartment. Remains of an electric blanket in the debris.

The cause remains under investigation. No injuries were reported at the scene.

Storage / Warehouse, Warehouse

Levittown, PA – Sprinkler system contains warehouse fire

A fire involving two pallets of wood triggered a sprinkler system at a local warehouse early Thursday morning.

Firefighters were dispatched to a business in the 5000 block of Bristol-Emilie Road shortly after 2 a.m. for a water flow alarm activation, according to Levittown Fire Company No. 2.

Crews used a key from a Knox box to enter the unoccupied industrial building.

Once inside the building, they encountered heavy smoke and an active sprinkler system that had successfully contained a blaze involving two pallets of wood pallets, the fire company said.

Bristol Township Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito said an investigation determined the wood had been slowly burning for some time.

According to Dippolito, the wood caught fire after being placed in a kiln. Company staff pulled out the wood, didn’t see any signs of fire, and left the facility around 1 a.m.

The wood ignited after the staff left and led to the fire call, Dippolito said.

Firefighters extinguished the remaining hot spots and ventilated the warehouse.

Levittown Fire Company No. 2 was assisted at the scene by the Edgely and Third District fire companies.

Reporting on lives and property saved by fire sprinklers