SPECIAL PROPERTIES
Massachusetts
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
July, 3:47 a.m., $110 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a five-story, 125,000-square-foot (11,613-square-meter) apartment complex (265 units in five buildings) of unprotected wood-frame construction that was still under construction. No one was on-site at the time.
Fire Protection Systems
There were smoke alarms present, but they did not operate because they had not yet been activated. There was an automatic suppression system in place but it had not yet been activated.
Fire Development
The fire broke out on the second floor in one of the buildings and was determined to be an incendiary fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found two structures fully involved. Due in part to the lightweight construction, the fire spread rapidly throughout the five buildings. There was no additional information reported on the fire spread.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
Arriving firefighters went to a defensive operation due to heavy fire involvement of the buildings. Five buildings were involved at the fire’s height.
Maryland
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
April, 9:35 a.m., $100 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a six-story, 160,000-square-foot (14,864-square-meter) apartment building of unprotected wood-frame construction that was still under construction. There were workers present when the fire broke out. The structure covered a full city block.
Fire Protection Systems
There were smoke alarms and an automatic suppression system in place but they had not yet been activated.
Fire Development
The fire broke out in a fifth-floor apartment being used for trash storage. The cause was not determined. Workers attempted to extinguish the fire prior to the fire department’s arrival. No further information was reported on the development or spread of the fire.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
It was not reported if the workers’ attempts to extinguish the fire delayed notification of the fire department.
North Carolina
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
March, 10:02 p.m., $62.5 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a six-story, 120,000-square-foot (11,148-square-meter), 242-unit unprotected wood-frame apartment building that was under construction. No one was on-site at the time.
Fire Protection Systems
There was no automatic detection or suppression equipment present.
Fire Development
The fire broke out on the second floor and involved wood structural members. The cause was undetermined and is still under investigation. No information was reported on the fire’s spread.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
This building was part of a complex that was under construction.
California
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
May, 4:58 a.m., $50 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a six-story, 30,000-square-foot (2,787-square-meter), 105-unit unprotected wood frame apartment building under construction.
Fire Protection Systems
There was no automatic detection or suppression equipment present.
Fire Development
The fire began on the first floor. No information was reported on the spread of the fire. The cause is undetermined.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The loss was reported as $15 million to the structure and $35 million to the contents. It was not reported what the contents were.
Massachusetts
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
June, 2:32 p.m., $45 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a six-story, 13,006-square-foot (1,208-square-meter), 83-unit apartment building of unprotected wood-frame construction that was still under construction. Workers were on-site.
Fire Protection Systems
There were smoke alarms present, but they did not operate because they had not yet been activated. There was an automatic suppression system in place but it had not yet been activated.
Fire Development
The fire broke out on the sixth floor when radiated heat from a generator vent pipe ignited wood structural members. The fire spread through void spaces.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
Arriving firefighters initiated an interior attack but went to a defensive operation due to heavy fire involvement. Firefighters reported that there was an hour-and-a-half delay from the time workers first smelled smoke to when the fire department was notified.
New Jersey
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
February, 1:30 a.m., $34 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a 200-unit apartment building under construction. No details on height or size were reported.
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported. The fire is still under investigation.
Fire Development
No information reported. The fire is still under investigation.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
No information reported. The fire is still under investigation.
Massachusetts
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
September, 2:38 a.m., $15 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a four-story, 37,500-square-foot (3,484-square-meter), 50-unit apartment building of unprotected wood-frame construction that was still under construction. No one was on-site.
Fire Protection Systems
There were smoke alarms and an automatic suppression system in place, but they had not yet been activated.
Fire Development
A fire of undetermined cause broke out in a second-floor apartment. The fire burned up to the roof within voids, then burned across the roof and down into the fourth floor.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
Arriving firefighters went to a defensive operation due to heavy fire involvement. Water supply was a problem for fighting this fire, as was the involvement of lightweight construction and a floor collapse.
Indiana
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
May, 6:46 a.m., $12 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a six-unit, three- and four-story apartment building of unprotected wood-frame construction that was still under construction. The floor area was not reported. Workers were on- site at the time.
Fire Protection Systems
There were detectors present but not yet in operation due to construction. A sprinkler system had been installed but had not been activated.
Fire Development
The fire broke out in the ceiling of a second-floor mechanical room. The fire was ignited during welding operations around a copper pipe when the insulation caught fire from direct flame from the torch. The welder unsuccessfully attempted to extinguish the fire with multiple fire extinguishers. He then cut a larger hole around the pipe and attempted to extinguish the fire. The worker believed the fire was out and did not contact the fire department, resulting in a 45-minute delay.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
Firefighters attempted an interior attack but when they reached the second floor they found there had been a floor collapse. Firefighters were withdrawn to a defensive attack.
MANUFACTURING
Florida
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
January, 7:39 p.m., $50 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a paper plant. No information was reported on the heights and floor area of the buildings other than that they were structures of various sizes and heights.
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported as the incident is still under investigation.
Fire Development
A mixture of off-gases and air combined to create an explosive environment. It was not determined what ignition source caused an explosion. The incident is still under investigation.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
There was no after fire reported following the explosion. Upon arrival, fire companies tried to enter the damaged area but were delayed by a steam leak. Once they entered the structure, they were stopped again by the presence of hazardous chemicals and a large amount of debris.
Pennsylvania
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
March, 4 a.m., $35.6 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This saw mill for hardwood lumber was of unprotected wood-frame construction. The height and floor area were not reported. There was a security guard at the site at the time of the fire.
Fire Protection Systems
Neither automatic detection nor suppression equipment was present. Dry chemical extinguishers were available.
Fire Development
The fire began in wood or sawdust in the basement at the bottom of a flight of stairs. The cause is undetermined and still under investigation. No additional information was available.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The security guard attempted to extinguish the fire using dry-chemical extinguishers for five minutes before calling the fire department. The loss was estimated at $9 million to the structure and $26.6 million to the contents, including hardwoods from around the world.
North Carolina
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
March, 2:48 a.m., $15 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a one-story, 150,000-square-foot (13,935-square-meter) chicken processing plant of unprotected noncombustible construction. The plant was operating at the time.
Fire Protection Systems
There was a smoke detection system present. Its coverage was not reported but the system did operate. There was no suppression equipment present.
Fire Development
The fire began in a machine room and involved natural gas. The exact cause is still undetermined and under investigation.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
When firefighters arrived, the fire had already burned through the roof. The loss was estimated at $10 million to the structure and $5 million to the contents.
Michigan
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
August, 6:30 p.m., $10 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a one-story, 12,000-square-foot (1,189-square-meter) wood-product manufacturing plant of unprotected noncombustible construction. The plant was closed for the night but one person was in the building.
Fire Protection Systems
There was no detection or automatic suppression equipment present.
Fire Development
The fire was first discovered in the area of a wood lathe and involved wood or wood dust. The ignition source was not determined. No further information was reported on the spread of the fire.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
One injury was reported. Arriving apparatus found a dry hydrant not working. Water was brought to the scene by 12 tanker trucks over the course of eight hours.
WILDLAND/URBAN INTERFACE
California
Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
October, 9 a.m., $10 billion
Setting
Wildland/urban interface
Climate
Red flag warning in effect, with temperatures in the 90s F (30s C), humidity near 14 percent, very windy.
Fire Origin and Path
Various causes, many of which were electrical in nature, including wires and power poles that had been downed by high winds.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
Cal Fire refers to this as the “2017 October Fire Siege.” This incident encompassed 21 large fires that burned 245,000 acres (99,147 hectares), destroyed 8,887 structures, damaged 731 structures, killed 44 people, and injured 195 firefighters and civilians.
California
Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
December, 9 a.m., $1.8 billion
Setting
Wildland/urban interface
Climate
Climate.gov wrote that a “perfect” combination of ingredients came together, including extremely dry conditions and Santa Ana winds. The winds were the strongest during early December, clocked at 70–75 mph (113–121 kph).
Fire Origin and Path
Several different causes were found for the fires included in this event, including downed power lines, limbs on power lines, burning of debris, and an illegal cooking fire, along with other causes that were reported but that remain unknown.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
Santa Ana winds, as well as a lack of rain and dry vegetation, helped the fires grow to thousands of acres in a matter of a few hours. Firefighters had to contend with very difficult terrain to reach fires. One firefighter was killed during this fire, and seven civilians and 12 firefighters were injured. The fire burned 307,953 acres and destroyed 1,355 structures.
RESIDENTAL PROPERTIES
Hawaii
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
July, 2:17 p.m., $107.3 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a 36-story, 569-unit apartment building of unprotected ordinary construction that covered 20,800 square feet (1,932 square meters) and was occupied.
Fire Protection Systems
There was a complete-coverage smoke alarm system present that operated. There was no automatic suppression equipment present. There were standpipe connections on each floor that were used by the fire department.
Fire Development
The fire started in the living room of an apartment on the 26th floor. The cause was undetermined. The fire spread throughout the room. Once the fire caused an exterior window to break, the wind spread the fire into the hallway and into several additional units through louvered doors, and from the 26th floor to the 28th floor in seconds.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
No addition information was reported on the fire or smoke spread.
Texas
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
February, 8:30 p.m., $22 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a 60-unit occupied apartment building. No information was reported on the height, type of construction, or floor area.
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported. The fire is still under investigation.
Fire Development
No information was reported. The fire is still under investigation.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
There was one fire death and one injury. No additional information was reported. The fire is still under investigation.
STORAGE PROPERTIES
Maine
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
April, 8:15 p.m., $21 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a one-story, 143,875-square-foot (13,366-square-meter) food storage warehouse of unprotected ordinary construction. The warehouse was operating at the time of the fire.
Fire Protection Systems
There was a full coverage detection system of unknown type present that operated and alerted the fire department. There was a complete coverage dry-pipe sprinkler system present that operated, opening 15 sprinkler heads.
Fire Development
The fire began around an air conditioning unit on the roof of a trailer at the loading dock. The fire spread horizontally through the trailer, then to exposures and entered the structure at the loading dock. The sprinklers limited the fire spread in the warehouse.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
Smoke and heat spread throughout the warehouse, damaging food products and resulting in the large loss to contents.
West Virginia
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
October, 12:30 a.m., $10 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This warehouse stored plastic goods and recycled plastic. It was of multiple construction types, one and two stories in height, and covered 400,000 square feet (37,161 square meters). The building was closed for the night.
Fire Protection Systems
There were detectors present, but the type and coverage were not reported. The system did not operate; the reason was not reported. There were both wet- and dry-pipe sprinklers in the building. It was not clear if there were two suppression systems or a combination system, but the sprinklers did not operate because they had been shut off prior to the fire.
Fire Development
No information reported. The fire is under investigation.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The structure was 25 percent involved with fire on arrival, and an exterior attack was initiated. Thirty-nine fire departments responded.
EDUCATIONAL PROPERTIES
Minnesota
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
August, 10:33 a.m., $14.1 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a three-story, 62,864-square-foot (5,840-square-meter) high school of unprotected ordinary construction. The school was unoccupied at the time of the fire. There was a small construction job underway at the site.
Fire Protection Systems
There was a complete coverage smoke detector system. Its operation was not reported. It was not determined if automatic suppression equipment was present.
Fire Development
A gas leak at a meter in the boiler room resulted in an explosion and fire. The ignition source was not reported.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The estimated damage to the structure was $7.1 million, and damage to contents was $7 million.
PUBLIC ASSEMBLY PROPERTIES
Missouri
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
February, 2:33 a.m., $12 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a two-story, 36,000-square-foot (3,356-square-meter) country club of unprotected wood-frame construction. The club was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
Fire Protection Systems
There were smoke detectors present and they operated, notifying an alarm company that in turn called the fire department. There was no automatic suppression system present.
Fire Development
A discarded cigarette ignited peat moss and dry vegetation in a large planter on an exterior deck. The fire extended to a deck and into the structure.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The estimated damage to the structure was $8 million with an additional $4 million to the contents.
STORE/OFFICE PROPERTIES
Michigan
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
July, 7:30 p.m. $12 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
Automobile sales. No additional information was reported.
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported.
Fire Development
No information was reported.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
No information was reported.
INSTITUTIONAL PROPERTIES
Texas
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
January, 1:20 p.m., $10 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a 12-story hospital of unprotected ordinary construction that covered 34,700 square feet (3,224 square meters). The hospital was operating but construction was underway in the area of fire origin.
Fire Protection Systems
There was a full-coverage detection system present and it operated. There was a sprinkler system present; its type was not reported. It was not located in the area of origin and it was not clear if the system operated.
Fire Development
This fire was incendiary and was set in a second-floor waiting area. The fire was confined to the area of origin.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
Heavy black smoke spread throughout the building via stairways and elevator shafts. The fire is still under investigation.