Latest news with #FireCode
Boston Globe
23-05-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Matunuck Oyster Bar, damaged in fire, did not have sprinklers
Fire officials said The investigation remains ongoing. 'There is significant damage to the building,' South Kingstown Fire Chief Steven Pinch said. 'It's still standing, but between the water, fire and smoke damage, the structural problems are significant.' Advertisement These new details come more than two decades after the state's push to create a tougher fire code in the wake of the The The building the Matunuck Oyster Bar was located in was originally constructed in 1946. Since owner Perry Raso purchased the property - previously a rundown restaurant - to open his oyster bar in 2009, Advertisement The state Fire Code requires a sprinkler system in places of assembly that hold 300 people or more. Matunuck had an occupancy of 222 people. Despite additions made over the years, Bernier explained the oyster bar's square footage and occupancy rate were below the thresholds at which the state Fire Code requires a sprinkler system. Related : Several other restaurants and hotels in Rhode Island have suffered damaging fires in recent years. The historic Earlier this month, Matunuck Oyster Bar was last inspected by local fire officials in September 2024, when they found about 20 minor violations. Each was corrected within the required 30-day timeline. While no one was injured in the blaze, the fire comes as a devastating blow to Advertisement two regular diners, Dan Smalley and David Stine, aimed at helping employees and the rebuilding effort, has already raised more than $140,000. The Rhode Island Hospitality Association Several building permits were recently pulled for future work to be done at the restaurant. Laurent Fortin Jr., a master pipefitter with Buckley Heating and Cooling, pulled a mechanical permit on May 13 to replace two water heaters and work on gas piping that ran from an existing propane tank to the water heaters, according to documents filed with the town obtained by the Globe. The job would cost nearly $25,000, according to the permit. The work wasn't expected to be performed until June 14, according to a representative with F&S Electric Inc., the electric company that was supposed to install the project's wiring. Anthony Santurri, an East Greenwich-based electrician, pulled an electric permit on May 20, the day of the fire. He did not return calls from the Globe seeking comment. 'Based on information collected to date by inspectors, several possible causes have been ruled out including commercial cooking equipment being a direct cause of the fire,' Matthew Touchette, a spokesman for the State Fire Marshal's office, wrote in an update on Thursday. Alexa Gagosz can be reached at
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Owner of thrift store closed for game machines arrested
Temple, Tx (FOX 44) – The owner of a thrift store in Temple closed in April for running a game room has now been arrested. Bell County Fire Marshal Shane Geers said Christi De La Cruz was the owner of the store at 1305 West Adams that had the game room set up at the back of the store without a permit. Jail records showed she was being charged with possession of a gambling device or equipment. The store was closed April 21 and the machines were seized. Bell County has an ordinance regulating game machines. PREVIOUS STORY: Temple thrift store closes after illegal game room discovery The machines in question at the thrift store were known as fish tables. Fire Marshal Geers said these are not considered one game under the game room regulations. Since they have four stations and they are each considered 4 games. Fire Marshal Geers said the store location was shut down because it was operating an illegal Game Room with 8 machines separate from its thrift store and advertising as a game room which is also illegal. There were 10 listed Fire Code violations found in the building as well. Geers said the arrest came later because it took awhile to get the warrant issued due to her not being available for questions. She remained in the Bell County Jail Monday with her bond set at $2,500. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Adams factory fire does not appear suspicious during investigation
ADAMS, Mass. (WWLP) – A large fire in Adams forced two nearby schools to evacuate is still being investigated, however, it does not appear suspicious. Fire in Amherst leaves college students without home, closes businesses A fire happened on Harmony Street at the former MacDermid Graphic Arts factory at around 7:30 a.m. on April 16th, less than a mile from Hoosac Valley Elementary School and Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School. Both schools were evacuated, and students were brought to safer locations. An air quality advisory was issued due to the smoke from the fire. There were no reported injuries and the cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Crews have determined that the fire began somewhere in the center of the building, although they have not figured out what caused the fire as they have found no evidence that it was intentionally set. Investigators learned that unsanctioned, unpermitted hot work was being performed inside the building. This involved using oxy-acetylene torches to cut metal for scrap. Any cutting, grinding, welding, or other hot work requires training, certification, and a permit from the local fire department because of the fire hazard posed by sparks and slag. During an investigation, Adams Fire Chief John M. Pansecchi and code compliance officers from the Department of Fire Services identified several violations of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code. The property owner had violated several terms of a permit issued in 2019 by: Failing to install an approved lock box at the gate for fire department emergency access; Failing to seek a new permit when the building became occupied during unsanctioned work; and Failing to obtain a hot work permit for cutting and grinding metal operations within the structure. Those who fail to abide by a permit issued by the local fire chief constitute a violation of the Fire Code. Three citations were issued to Harmony Street LLC, each for $100. The citations are issued to ensure that they will be available to testify at a hearing and/or appeal the citations. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ombudsman releases scathing report on Portland Fire & Rescue
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Five months after a KOIN 6 News investigation, the Portland Ombudsman's Office called out Portland Fire & Rescue for fire safety issues at a relatively new Habitat for Humanity complex. The Ombudsman's Office initially spoke to KOIN 6 News about their investigation in the days after the KOIN 6 News investigation detailed the issues in late December 2024. The Cherry Blossom Townhomes near Mall 205 in Portland were approved at the last minute despite fire inspector warnings about code violations and without a required appeals process, the Ombudsman's report determined. Potential fire access issues Deputy Ombudsman Tony Green told KOIN 6 News his biggest concern is missing fire lane signs and rampant parking that blocks fire truck access. 'I am surprised that the Fire Bureau isn't acknowledging the problems with the parking,' Green said. 'And the other problem that they're not acknowledging is that the ground ladders do not meet best practices with the height of the building, and so they need to have an aerial access in there.' He said the buildings may exceed the height (30 feet) that requires a 26-foot-wide access road or an automatic sprinkler system, neither of which was implemented. Firefighters determined that some of the buildings were too tall to follow best practices for ground ladders, the memo stated. Parking on the access road and sidewalks narrows the available width to 17 feet, he said, obstructing space needed for aerial ladder trucks to fully deploy stabilizing braces. Turnaround requirement possibly overlooked The investigation stated the dead-end access road may exceed 300 feet in length, which could require a turnaround under local interpretations of the Fire Code. PF&R accepted a 'Y' shaped fork as a substitute, but again, the ombudsman found no written record that explains this decision. Inconsistent and delayed communication A homeowner raised safety concerns in Oct. 2023 then again in July 2024, but the investigation found PF&R took months to respond, offered conflicting information, and failed to follow through on promised communications. Homeowners received mixed messages about whether parking changes were needed and never received the formal guidance they were promised, Green said. 'I don't feel safe at all, but I feel less safe than ever because the fire department, it's their job and their duty to keep us safe, and they failed to do that,' said homeowner Lacey Sutton. Even after being alerted to his findings, Green told KOIN 6 News, fire officials remain in denial. 'That was disappointing that they, at least at this point, have not acknowledged the problems and have not embraced a leadership role in determining and helping this place move towards the safest possible arrangement,' Green said. In his memo released early Wednesday, Green recommends: PF&R provide written documentation explaining how firefighters can respond safely to emergencies at the site Give written recommendations on parking restrictions and any needed safety improvements Hold a public meeting to allow residents to ask questions and receive direct answers from fire officials. 'What I had hoped to accomplish was for the Fire Bureau to take some responsibility for the situation and help guide the homeowners association,' Green said. In response, Portland Fire Marshal Kari Schimel said PF&R is committed to holding a meeting to answer homeowners questions and concerns. Cherry Blossom Response LetterDownload KOIN 6 News will have more information later in the day, including homeowners, officials from Habitat for Humanity and Portland Fire & Rescue. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Forum: Fire safety standards in Singapore necessarily stringent
We thank Forum writers Sarah Lee-Wong Mayfern, Ameerali Abdeali, Valentane Huang and Goh Ee Kiat for their letters 'Time for thorough review of fire safety in buildings like older shophouses' (April 10), 'Urgent need to step up fire prevention measures' (April 11), 'Staff of pre-school near River Valley fire were quick to help' (April 11), and 'Fire safety a personal responsibility, not just that of the authorities' (April 11). The fire safety standards that we set in Singapore are necessarily stringent. All new buildings and buildings undergoing renovation works must comply with the prevailing Fire Code. These include fire safety provisions such as fire extinguishers, hose reels, emergency lightings, and maximum distance to exit staircases. In addition, exit staircases must be protected within fire-rated enclosures to support safe evacuation during a fire. The Fire Code is reviewed regularly in consultation with industry stakeholders and agencies such as the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Building and Construction Authority. To ensure the safety of building occupants and the public, building owners, tenants and business operators must ensure that their premises comply with these regulatory requirements. Before carrying out renovation works, they are required to engage a Qualified Person to ensure that the plans incorporate appropriate fire safety designs, and to submit the plans to the relevant authorities for approval. Building owners, tenants and business operators are responsible for maintaining the fire and structural safety provisions of their premises, and obtaining all the necessary permits and approvals from the relevant authorities before embarking on any works or business. The authorities are investigating the fire at 278 River Valley Road on April 8. Firm action will be taken against those found responsible for contravening planning regulations and failing to comply with fire safety standards. We wish to thank the members of the public who stepped forward during the fire. Their quick thinking, collective actions, and willingness to put themselves in harm's way saved many lives. We urge all premises owners and tenants to take fire safety seriously, and not compromise on safety standards just to save money or for the sake of expediency. Such conduct can come at the cost of lives. Ryan Ong (Assistant Commissioner) Director, Fire Safety Department Singapore Civil Defence Force Martin Tan Director (Development Control, City) Urban Redevelopment Authority More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
