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A fire intentionally set in a two-story Vermont office building damaged an office and some adjacent space until sprinklers operated and prevented it from spreading from the area of origin.
The office building 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 didn't see any smoke or flames coming from the building. Upon investigation, however, they noticed light smoke in the foyer. When they entered the building, they smelled fuel and initially suspected 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.
After firefighters extinguished the blaze, they began their investigation, finding signs of forced entry at the back of the building. When the first-in officer told them 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.
For more case studies of fires, read "Firewatch" online or on page 18 of the November/December issue of NFPA Journal.
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