Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Hagerstown, MD – Hotel fire extinguished by sprinkler system before fire crew arrived; No injuries reported

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An accidental fire occurred at the Homewood Suites Hotel located at 1650 Pullman Lane in Hagerstown, Maryland on November 19, 2025, according to a notice from the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The fire, which was discovered by hotel staff after the building’s sprinkler system activated, was quickly controlled and extinguished by the sprinklers before the arrival of the Hagerstown Fire Department. The incident resulted in no injuries or deaths, though one occupant was displaced.

The fire originated in room 116 on the first floor of the five-story extended-stay hotel. Preliminary investigations indicate that the cause was accidental, stemming from combustibles being stacked on top of a two-burner stovetop. This room was reportedly being utilized for storing materials during a kitchen remodel. It is believed that a box was inadvertently placed on the stovetop, and the right burner knob was accidentally turned on during the process. The heat from the active burner ignited the stacked boxes, leading to the fire. The estimated damage to the structure is $1,500, with an additional $500 in damage to the contents. The hotel is equipped with both smoke alarms and a fire alarm system, which were present and activated, with the sprinkler system playing a crucial role in suppressing the blaze. Twenty-five firefighters responded to the one-alarm incident.

This incident highlights the importance of maintaining awareness and caution when storing materials, especially in areas with potential ignition sources, even during renovations. Residents are reminded to ensure that all appliances are turned off and safely clear of any stored items, particularly combustible materials.

Residential, Single Family Home

Highland Park, IL – House fire controlled by sprinkler system

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Plumbers on site tried to extinguish a fire that broke out in the basement of a house in Highland Park before a sprinkler system controlled the fire and firefighters could respond.

The Highland Park Fire Department and Highland Park Police Department responded around 11:30 a.m. Monday to the 2000 block of Skyelar Court in Highland Park for a fire alarm activation.

A 911 caller then reported there was a fire in the home, according to Highland Park Fire Chief Joe Schrage.

The incident was upgraded to a Confirmed Fire response to bring in multiple area fire departments.

Firefighters entered the home and found fire in the basement of a two-story, single-family residence.

Schrage said residents and workers were in the home when the fire started and the workers tried to extinguish the fire.

A van belonging to Village Plumbing & Sewer Service Inc., based in Glenview, was parked outside the home.

The home is equipped with a sprinkler system and one of the sprinkler heads activated, further controlling the fire.

Firefighters pulled a hose line and fully extinguished the fire, Schrage said. Incoming assisting fire departments, besides the Glencoe Fire Department, were canceled.

The home remained habitable and the damage was contained to the basement, Schrage said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Highland Park Fire Department but is not considered suspicious in nature.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Shreveport, LA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at local business; No injuries reported

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At approximately 8:08 p.m., the Shreveport Fire Department (SFD) was dispatched to a fire alarm at a local business.

In total, 15 fire units with around 45 dedicated firefighters responded to the incident in the 7400 block of Youree Drive on Wednesday evening.

SFD says they arrived on the scene within five minutes and quickly observed heavy smoke billowing from the top of the building.

A representative with the department says it was a coordinated effort to extinguish the fire, with emergency responders working to ensure the safety of patrons and staff by evacuating individuals from the premises while others entered the building to combat the flames.

Additional fire crews were deployed to the rooftop to assist in battling the fire.

Fortunately, the building’s sprinkler system activated, helping to mitigate the spread of the fire.

There were no reported injuries among firefighters or civilians at the site.

Department Store, Retail

Collins, MS – Sprinkler system activated for overnight fire at commercial business; No injuries reported

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A fire at Shirley’s of Collins early Monday morning was quickly contained, and no injuries were reported, authorities said.

Collins Fire Department units responded at approximately 3:55 a.m. to a commercial fire alarm at 3450 Highway 49 Frontage Road, where smoke and water flow alarms had been triggered. Firefighters found moderate smoke inside the building and gained entry through the front door.

The fire was located in a display area near the floral section at the back of the store. The building’s fire sprinkler system had activated, helping to suppress the flames. Crews extinguished the fire, deactivated the sprinklers to limit water damage, and ventilated the building to remove remaining smoke.

Investigators determined the fire was accidental, caused by an electrical short in an extension cord used in a Christmas display. Only a small area was affected, and just two sprinkler heads activated.

Shirley’s management is working to clean up and restore the store, with plans to reopen early next week.

Apartment Building, Residential

La Grande, OR – Fifth floor apartment fire contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

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On Saturday November 15, 2025 at 10:39 pm, crews responded to a report of a fire on the 5th floor of the Sac Annex.  Initial arriving crews made a quick interior attack.  A second alarm was called out of an abundance of caution, but later cancelled, due to how rapidly the fire was extinguished.  Early detection, automatic sprinkler system activation and fast-effective response were vital in containing the spread of the fire to the apartment of origin. 

No injuries were reported.  All building occupants were safely evacuated and the American Red Cross responded to the scene to assist individuals displaced by the incident.

The interior portions of the building (from the lobby to the 7th floor) will remain closed for clean-up and fire suppression system restoration.  Limited business activity may occur at the street level businesses.  It is advised to reach out to the specific business to determine if they are operational.

An investigation is under way to determine the cause of the fire.  Fire personnel, investigators and restoration contractors will be working on scene.

City of La Grande Fire Department would like to express gratitude to our agency partners, for their invaluable response and assistance: La Grande Rural Fire Protetion District, Union Ambulance, La Grande Police Department, Oregon State Police, American Red Cross and the La Grande First Presbyterian Church.  Over 25 individuals assisted with this incident; including on-duty, off-duty and volunteer personnel.  Thank you all!

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Birmingham, AL – Sprinkler system activated for fire at retirement home

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Homewood Fire Department responded to a fire at Skyline Village Retirement Home Saturday night. Chief Broadhead with Homewood Fire Department said fire and smoke were found on the third floor. The retirement home’s sprinkler system activated, holding the flames in check until firefighters extinguish the blaze. Heavy smoke filled the third and fourth floors, complicating evacuation efforts. Because of the number of mobility-impaired residents, a full evacuation was not possible, and fire crews decided to shelter residents in place until conditions improved. Once safe, firefighters assisted residents down stairwells, which were flooded from the sprinkler system.

Chief Broadhead expressed pride in the department’s quick actions and thanked Vestavia Fire, Mountain Brook Fire, and RPS Ambulance for their support. “Our community is fortunate to have dedicated professionals who stand ready to protect and serve at any hour,” said Chief Broadhead.

Apartment Building, Residential

Waterville, ME – Fire at apartment building contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

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A fire at an apartment building in Waterville Friday forced residents to relocate, according to the Waterville Fire Department.

Waterville firefighters responded to the Lockwood Mill building at 6 Water St. shortly before 6:30 p.m. The first crews on scene reported alarms sounding and people evacuating the building, the department said. They found smoke in a stairwell and water running between floors.

Crews discovered a smoldering fire in a construction area on the fifth floor. The building’s sprinkler system contained most of the fire, and it did not spread to other areas, according to the department.

Only the third floor of the building was reportedly occupied. Residents were provided transportation and temporary lodging at a nearby hotel in coordination with the Waterville Housing Authority, the department said. No injuries were reported.

The state fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire.

The Waterville Fire Department reminded residents and business owners to keep fire alarms and sprinkler systems in working order, saying properly maintained systems save lives.

The Winslow Fire Department assisted with the fire.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Hillsdale, NJ – Fire at bakery contained by sprinkler system

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A fire that broke out early Saturday morning in the bakery area of the Hillsdale ShopRite was quickly contained by the store’s sprinkler system, preventing what officials say could have been extensive damage.

According to a report from ex-chief Dan Schuster, the Hillsdale Fire Department received a 911 call at 1:37 a.m. from an employee reporting the fire. A Battalion 7 Box Alarm was transmitted, adding mutual aid from River Vale, Westwood, and Woodcliff Lake fire departments, along with a Hillsdale ambulance.

Hillsdale 27 Car 2 arrived shortly after dispatch and confirmed an active fire being held in check by the sprinkler system. The crew from 27 Engine 1 established a water supply and stretched a 2.5-inch line into the building. Firefighters quickly knocked down the blaze and confirmed no extension beyond the immediate contents and hood system.

Due to the size of the store, mutual aid companies assisted with a lengthy ventilation operation. Chief Farrell held command throughout. Fire crews were on scene for approximately 75 minutes.

The fire marshal is investigating the cause, which is not believed to be suspicious. The Bergen County Board of Health also responded.

According to Shuster: Units on scene: 27 Car 1, 27 Car 2, 27 Engine 1, 27 Truck. Mutual aid: River Vale FD, Westwood FD, Woodcliff Lake FD, Hillsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service

News of the quick stop prompted an outpouring of appreciation on social media.

“Thank you, and well done!” wrote councilman, and former mayor, John Ruocco.

Several commenters praised both firefighters and the employee who phoned in the alarm. “Great job fire department… and great job to the employee for saving the bakery,” wrote Edward Murtagh. “He’s a hero.”

Others echoed thanks: “Once again, great job! Thank you,” wrote Jojo Connellan. “Thanks again for your dedication boys! God bless,” added Joe Dargan.

“Great stop,” wrote Thomas Simpson, while others noted hearing the response in the early hours.

One commenter, with a bit of levity, quipped: “Fire sale on bread and muffins. They come pre-toasted.”

College/University (on campus), School / University

Franklin, MA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at college campus center

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At 5:17pm Friday evening, the Metacomet Emergency Communications Center received a fire alarm activation for 135 Emmons Street, the Dean College Campus Center. Franklin Fire units arrived on scene within minutes and found a fire in a basement kitchen.

This incident was upgraded to a working fire assignment, bringing in mutual aid from Bellingham, Medway, Norfolk, Plainville, and Wrentham.

The fire suppression system and automatic sprinkler system were activated, keeping and holding the fire in check. Firefighters made entry and conducted an interior attack to complete the extinguishment of the fire. The fire was fully extinguished at 5:35pm.

Crews conducted a comprehensive investigation for fire extension, utilizing thermal imaging cameras to verify the fire had not spread beyond the kitchen. Firefighters secured the sprinkler system and utilities, ventilated smoke from the building, and assisted college officials with occupant accountability. Thanks to the coordinated actions of the sprinkler system, the fire alarm system, and the rapid and professional response of Franklin Firefighters, the fire was confined to the kitchen and no students or staff were injured.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Franklin Fire Department. The building was able to be partially reoccupied for the evening.

According to Charles Allen, Fire Chief, the Foxboro Fire Department provided station coverage during the incident.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Williston, VT – Sprinkler system activated for fire at senior living facility

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Williston responders said that a senior living facility was evacuated Thursday night while smoke filled all four floors of the building.

They said that the fire was likely the result of someone throwing away smoking materials, such as cigarettes that weren’t fully put out.

Firefighters from Williston, Essex, and South Burlington arrived at Eagle Crest Apartments at 9:42 p.m. and reported flames and dense smoke coming from a dumpster in the underground parking garage.

Firefighters say that they were able to quickly extinguish the fire, and that the building’s automatically sprinkler system had helped prevent the fire from spreading elsewhere. However, they said an issue with a smoke damper in the building meant that the smoke spread throughout, and all residents had to be evacuated.

“Our crews… worked seamlessly across multiple levels of the building to ensure the safety of
residents and to bring the incident under control as quickly as possible,” said Lt. Anthony Simanskas with the Williston Fire Department.

No damage was reported to the building.

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