NFPA Journal - November/December 2012 - (Page 18)

>> FIREWATCH from our files by Ken Tremblay Police investigate a fire at a two-story office building in Vermont that was intentionally set. Sprinklers prevented the fire from spreading. Office building Sprinklers control arson fire VERMONT—A fire intentionally set in a two-story office building that was closed for the night damaged an office and some adjacent space until sprinklers operated and prevented it from spreading from the area of origin. The office building, which was 150 feet (45 meters) long and 70 feet (21 meters) wide, was of ordinary construction. It had smoke detectors and a wet-pipe sprinkler system. The fire department received the municipal fire alarm at 3:03 a.m. when the smoke detection system activated. When firefighters arrived, they could not see any smoke or fire coming from the building. Upon investigation, however, they noticed light smoke in the foyer. When they entered the building, they smelled fuel and initially sus- pected a furnace problem. They then saw water coming down the stairs and heavier smoke. Eventually, fire crews found a small fire burning in an office cubicle. The incident commander ordered a full first alarm and later asked for a second alarm. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, they shut down the sprinkler system and began their investigation. When the investigators found signs of forced entry at the back of the building and were told by the first-in officer that he had noticed a fuel-like smell, they brought in resources from other jurisdictions and an arson dog. They determined that the fire started in two separate areas, near which the dog detected hydrocarbons. A review of the security tape showed an indivdual carrying something in each hand near the point of origin. A flash occurred while the individual was outside of camera range, and the camera caught the person hastily moving toward the exit. Estimates of damage to the building, which was valued at $1.6 million, were not reported. There were no injuries. Residential Exterior fire spreads into apartment building, killing one LOUISIANA—A woman died of smoke inhalation as a result of a fire in her apartment building. The two-story, wood-frame building was one of several in a complex, all of which had patios and balconies. The report did not say whether smoke detectors or sprinklers were present. The woman and her adult son were awake and watching television in the first-floor apartment when they smelled something burning. They investigated their unit and went to the 18 NFPA JOURNAL NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012 Photograph: AP/Wide World Photo

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - November/December 2012

NFPA Journal - November/December 2012
Contents
First Word
In a Flash
Perspectives
Firewatch
Research
Heads Up
Structural Ops
In Compliance
Buzzwords
Outreach
Electrical Safety
Wildfire Watch
Past + Present
Easy Being Green?
Pressure Points
2011 Large-Loss Fires
2011 Firefighter Injuries
Section Spotlight
What’s Hot
Looking Back

NFPA Journal - November/December 2012