College/University (on campus), School / University

Madison, WI – Sprinkler systems help stop the spread of two separate fires on university campus

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Automated sprinkler systems help stop the spread of two fires on the Universities of Wisconsin – Madison campus in the last two weeks.

The first happened on October 16 just after 11:00 p.m. at the Discovery Building on North Orchard Street on the campus’ west side.

The fire started in a hamper full of rags or towels in a kitchen, and the automatic sprinkler system helped contain the fire with minimal damage to the wall nearby before firefighters put it completely out. The rest of the building was not impacted, and was fully operational within hours.

The second happened on October 28 around 4:50 a.m. at the Gordon Commons on West Dayton Street on the campus’ southeast side. Firefighters found heavy white smoke and a dryer fire in a lower-level room.

The sprinkler system kept the fire from spreading as fire crews extinguished it. Investigators are still not sure what caused this fire, but the dryer did contain rags and towels from the kitchen.

Public Health Madison-Dane County was notified because of food items in the area being impacted by the smoke.

Both fires are still under investigation by the Madison Fire Department.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Barnegat, NJ – Fire in science lab at high school contained by sprinkler system

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Barnegat High School will transition to remote learning this week as crews continue cleanup and repairs following a fire in a science lab on Friday, Principal Patrick Magee announced.

Firefighters and emergency personnel responded to a structure fire at the school after sprinklers were activated in the science lab, causing smoke throughout the building. Officials said the sprinkler system helped contain the fire, but water damage affected multiple classrooms.

Restoration work began soon after the incident but will take longer than initially anticipated, Magee said. Contractors are replacing ceiling tiles, cleaning HVAC and ventilation systems, and removing or sanitizing materials exposed to moisture to ensure the building is safe before reopening.

“Ensuring a safe, healthy environment for students and staff before we reopen is our top priority,” Magee told families in a letter.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Kansas City, MO – Hotel fire held in check by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

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The cause of a fire at a hotel in Kansas City is under investigation.

Just afater 11:30p.m. Sunday, crews responded to a reported fire at 401 Ward PKWY at the Intercontinental Hotel, 401 Ward Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

Crews reported smoke showing from the multi-story hotel on arrival. They were alerted to a fire in the loading dock area where a faulty air handler had ignited a pile of trash and debris. Companies were able to quickly get the fire under control that was being held in check by the sprinkler system.

The majority of the occupants were able to shelter in place, while a few on the lower floors were evacuated until the smoke could be eliminated. No injuries were reported.

Residential, Single Family Home

San Rafael, CA – Sprinkler system extinguishes residential fire caused by discarded smoking materials

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A home in San Rafael narrowly escaped a potential blaze thanks to an installed fire sprinkler system that promptly doused the flames. According to a report by the San Rafael Fire Department, a residential fire sprinkler system was pivotal in stopping a garage fire at 224 Baypoint Drive yesterday. The fire, which ignited due to improperly discarded smoking materials, was swiftly extinguished by the sprinkler system before it could cause substantial damage or escalate to a life-threatening scenario.

Dispatched at 1:17 PM, firefighters arrived to find smoke emanating from the residence’s garage and discovered the source to be multiple trash bags that had caught fire. Fortunately, the activated sprinkler kept the fire within the garage, allowing the firefighters to address the situation before it became a more dangerous and destructive incident. One individual sustained minor injuries during the ordeal, was treated on the scene by firefighter-paramedics, and did not require transportation to a medical facility, demonstrating an instance where preventive measures made a significant difference.

Crews used ventilation fans to clear the light smoke that pervaded the home, ensuring that the occupants could re-enter their residence comfortably and safely. The fire department’s swift action also included shutting off the sprinkler system, removing burned debris, replacing the sprinkler head, and the fully restoring the system.

Retail, Shopping Mall

Hackensack, NJ – Sprinkler system activated for fire at mall

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A mall in Bergen County has reopened after suffering a fire on Saturday morning, firefighters said.

The Hackensack Fire Department received a report of a fire alarm and smoke at the Riverside Square Mall around 10:30 a.m. Saturday, they said.

The first firefighters on the scene, along with mall security, found a fire in the rear of the Free People clothing store, said the Department in a statement.

The First Platoon searched the area, extinguished hotspots, and brought the blaze under control, the department said.

Adjacent stores had water and smoke damage, the Fire Department said.

Officials and building management were able to restore the building’s fire alarm and sprinkler system so the mall, located on Hackensack Avenue, could reopen later on Saturday.

The fire is under investigation, but does not appear to be suspicious, officials said.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Hampton, VA – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at assisted living facility

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More than 70 residents and two staff members were evacuated from a Hampton assisted living facility early Saturday morning after a fire, according to the Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue.

Crews were called to the Golden Years Assisted Living Facility on Hunt Club Boulevard around 4:30 a.m. for a fire alarm. When firefighters arrived, they found smoke inside the building. Residents and staff were moved to the nearby Northampton Community Center for safety.

Fire officials said two people were taken to Sentara CarePlex Hospital for injuries not related to the fire.

The fire was contained to a single room at the end of one residential wing and was extinguished by the facility’s automatic sprinkler system. Officials said half of the building has been deemed safe, but residents will not return until the fire alarm and suppression systems are fully restored.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Elkhart, IN – Fire at manufacturing facility contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

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Baugo Township Fire Department reports crews responded to a fire alarm activation at a commercial manufacturing facility around 11 p.m., Thursday.

Firefighters arrived to find smoke coming from the building’s back corner.

Fire officials say crews entered the building with zero visibility, with smoke from floor to ceiling.

Firefighters used a thermal imaging camera and followed the sound of the sprinkler system to find the fire’s source and extinguish it.

The report stated the sprinkler system successfully confined the fire to one area.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Crew members from BTFD will return Friday to continue investigating.

Due to the building’s large size firefighters remained on scene to assist with ventilation and smoke removal.

Concord Township, Cleveland Township, Harrison Township, and Penn Township Fire Departments, along with Wakarusa Fire and EMS also responded to assist.

No injuries have been reported at this time.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Salt Lake City, UT – Sprinkler system activated for structure fire at repair shop; No injuries reported

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Firefighters in Salt Lake City avoided a dire situation after a quick response to a structure fire at a tanker repair shop on 2100 South.

Crews responded to the Polar Service Centers shop located just south of the Glendale Golf Course at 1475 West 2100 South early Friday morning.

Captain John Maddox with Salt Lake City Fire said crews found smoke coming out of the building upon arrival. Once inside, they found one the vehicles parked in a bay had caught fire.

“Due to the size of the business and the nature of the possible equipment and takes involved and possible hazmat, we automatically went up to a second-alarm,” said Maddox.

Fortunately, the quick response from firefighters and the sprinkler system working inside the building, the fire was doused before it could spread to other vehicles or cause a hazmat situation.

Captain Maddox said only security personnel were on site at the time of the fire and there were no injuries from the fire.

The cause of the fire is still undetermined and an investigation is ongoing.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Austin, TX – Sprinkler system contains laundry room fire at hotel; No injuries reported

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Firefighters extinguished a fire at a downtown Austin hotel overnight.

AFD said that crews were at the scene of a fire at Cambria Hotel at 68 East Ave. around 12:24 a.m. Thursday morning.

The fire began in a first floor laundry room in the building, according to the fire department; AFD said that it had been contained to that room by the building’s sprinkler system.

AFD crews worked to ventilate smoke from the building.

The fire was reported extinguished just before 1 a.m. Thursday morning, AFD saying that the blaze was contained to a clothes dryer.

No one was hurt, according to AFD.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Chambersburg, PA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at business; No injuries reported

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Crews responded to a fire at a business in Franklin County early Thursday morning, according to emergency dispatch.

The fire broke out at Keystone Sheets, a manufacturing company in Chambersburg, at about 5:20 a.m.

The Greater Chambersburg Area Paid Fire Fighters Association stated that the building, located in the 1400 block of Nitterhouse Road, was evacuated after a machine inside the building caught on fire.

Once crews entered the structure, they worked to control the fire and secured the sprinkler system inside the business. At this time, the fire is under control, according to officials.

No road closures or injuries have been confirmed.

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