Selected Large-Loss Fire Incident Reports

 

RESIDENTIAL

District of Columbia
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

September, 3:21 p.m., $47,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a four-story, 162-unit apartment building of unprotected wood-frame construction with brick veneer. The floor size was not reported.

Fire Protection Systems
There was a detection system present, but it was not reported if the system operated. There was an automatic suppression system present. It was not located in the area of origin but did operate.

Fire Development
The fire of undetermined cause broke out in the cockloft of the building and vented through the roof.

Contributing Factors and
Other Details

On arrival, firefighters initiated an interior attack, but fire soon vented through the roof and floors collapsed, causing firefighters to change to a defensive attack.

California
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

February, 5:27 p.m., $20,500,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a two-story, 75,000-square-foot (6,968-square-meter), single-family home. The type of construction was not reported.

Fire Protection Systems
There were smoke alarms that operated and alerted the occupant. There was no automatic suppression system present.

Fire Development
The fire began on the second floor, but the cause was undetermined.

Contributing Factors and
Other Details

The loss was estimated at $20 million to the home and $500,000 to the contents.

California
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

February, 3:35 p.m., $14,715,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a three-story, 134,836-square-foot (12,527-square-meter), 45-unit apartment building of unprotected wood-frame construction.

Fire Protection Systems
There were smoke alarms present, but it was not determined if they operated. There was no automatic suppression equipment present.

Fire Development
The fire broke out in a vacant third-floor apartment. Plumbers were sweating pipes in the bathroom and ignited wood framing. The fire traveled to the attic space and to the first floor through the plumbing raceway.

Contributing Factors and
Other Details

Five hundred residents were displaced by this fire. One firefighter and one civilian were injured. The loss was estimated at $14 million to the structure and $715,000 to the contents.

Colorado
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

July, 2 a.m., $13,500,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a three-story, 66,120-square-foot (6,143-square-meter), 69-unit apartment building of unprotected wood-frame construction.

Fire Protection Systems
There were smoke alarms in the units and the alarms activated. There was no automatic suppression equipment present.

Fire Development
The incendiary fire began on the first floor; no additional details on the cause and origin were reported. An investigation is ongoing.

Contributing Factors and
Other Details

There were two civilian deaths and 13 people injured. The loss was estimated at $12.5 million to the structure and $1 million to the contents.

Florida
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

July, 3:33 p.m., $10,500,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status

This was a two-story, 25,000-square-foot (2,323-square-meter), 50-unit apartment building. The construction type was unprotected wood-frame construction.

Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported on detection equipment. There was no automatic suppression equipment present.

Fire Development
This incendiary fire was started in a room on the second floor. Some type of open flame was used to ignite newspapers and magazines.

Contributing Factors and
Other Details

The loss was listed as $10 million to the structure and $500,000 to the contents.

Virginia
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

May, 12:46 p.m., $10,128,475

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a four-story, 93,750-square-foot (8,710-square-meter), 82-unit apartment building of protected wood-frame construction.

Fire Protection Systems
There were smoke alarms in the unit of origin and they sounded. There was automatic suppression equipment present. The type of system in the building was not reported, but the heads on the balcony were dry pipe. The system failed to operate on the balcony and the reason is still under investigation, but it did activate within the structure.

Fire Development
The fire started on a third-floor balcony in a flower pot when a discarded cigarette ignited the potting material. The fire spread to a second third-floor balcony, then up the siding to two balconies on the fourth floor, then up to and into the attic.

Contributing Factors and
Other Details

Upon arrival, fire was visible on the four balconies and spreading up to the attic. Fire companies entered the building and made an attack in the third-floor apartment where the fire originated. Firefighters encountered many residents in their apartments or on the floors and assisted them in evacuating, rescuing five residents. Firefighters were ordered out of the building and went to a defensive attack after a partial floor collapse occurred. The failure of sprinklers on the balconies was a contributing factor in the spread of this fire.

Illinois
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

July, 1:21 p.m., $10,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a three-story, 48,000-square-foot (4,459-square-meter), 23-unit apartment building.

Fire Protection Systems
There were smoke alarms in the unit of origin; it was not known if they sounded. There was no automatic suppression equipment present.

Fire Development
The fire started when a lighter fell onto a mattress. The fire spread to the room’s contents and throughout the apartment.

Contributing Factors and
Other Details

The fire burned under the mansard roof throughout the building and spread to and burned throughout three additional similarly constructed buildings. Firefighters fought an interior attack for almost an hour and then withdrew to a defensive attack. One firefighter and two civilians were treated for injuries. The loss was estimated at $4 million to the structure and $6 million to the contents. The fire consumed four buildings with a total of 92 units.

California
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

October, 5:13 p.m., $10,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a 25-story, 76,625-square-foot (7,026-square-meter) apartment building of protected noncombustible construction. The number of units was not reported.

Fire Protection Systems
There were smoke alarms present and they operated and alerted the occupants. There was no automatic suppression equipment present.

Fire Development
This fire broke out in the living room of an apartment on the twelfth floor. A lit candle ignited nearby window treatments. The fire spread vertically from the twelfth floor to the sixteenth floor through voids.

Contributing Factors and
Other Details

The loss was listed as $8 million to the structure and $2 million to the contents.

WILDLAND/URBAN INTERFACE

California
Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
November, 6:33 a.m., $8,473,363,059

Setting
This was a wildland/urban interface fire, known as the Camp Fire, that occurred in Northern California.

Climate
The fire occurred on a red flag warning day, with winds measured at 25 to 35 mph (40 to 56 kph) and low humidity, which had dropped from 23 percent to 10 percent. Fuels in this area had been subjected to multiple years of drought.

Fire Origin and Path
The fire reportedly began when sparks from electric transmission lines ignited dry vegetation. The fire burned an area of 55,000 acres within the first 12 hours and eventually spread throughout Butte County.

Contributing Factors and Details
This area had experienced roughly seven months without any rainfall over 0.5 inches (1.3 centimeters). This wildfire is recognized as the sixth-deadliest, and the second-costliest, wildfire in US history. The fire burned 153,336 acres, destroyed 18,793 structures, and killed 86 people. An unusually large population of elderly residents, and the evacuation complications that occurred as a result, may have contributed to the high fatality count.

California
Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
November, 2:24 p.m., $2,932,132,215

Setting
This was a wildland/urban interface fire, known as the Woolsey Fire, that occurred in Southern California.

Climate
On the day the fire started, Santa Ana winds swept through the terrain at 50 to 60 mph (80 to 97 kph). Conditions were fair with temperatures around 70 degrees F (21 degrees C).

Fire Origin and Path
The cause is under investigation. The fire spread throughout Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, destroying large homes and other upscale residential occupancies.

Contributing Factors and Details
This wildfire was exacerbated by Santa Ana winds that spread the fire into the higher hills. The fire burned 96,949 acres, destroyed 1,500 structures, and killed three people. Roughly 295,000 residents were evacuated during this incident. The Woolsey Fire is recognized as the third-costliest wildfire in US history.

California
Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
July, 1:15 p.m., $892,553,941

Setting
This was a wildland/urban interface fire, known as the Carr Fire, that occurred in Northern California.

Climate
This fire began on a day where temperatures reached a high of 106 degrees F (41 degrees C). The conditions of the fuel, weather, and topography resulted in an intense fire vortex, with wind speeds exceeding 165 mph (266 kph), the equivalent of an F3 tornado.

Fire Origin and Path
The mechanical failure of a vehicle is listed as the official cause of the fire. A blown tire reportedly created a spark, igniting a fire that spread throughout Shasta and Trinity Counties.

Contributing Factors and Details
This fire, recognized as the 12th-costliest wildfire in US history, burned 229,651 acres, destroyed 1,820 structures, and killed three people. The structures destroyed during the incident included 1,079 residences, 22 commercial structures, and 502 outbuildings.

California
Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
July, 12:02 p.m., $30,305,000

Setting
This was a wildland/urban interface fire, known as the Ranch Fire, that occurred in Northern California.

Climate
On the day the fire was ignited, the temperature was 100 degrees F (38 degrees C), the humidity was about 20 percent, and northwest winds were approximately 3 mph (5 kph).

Fire Origin and Path
The fire reportedly began when a person drove a stake into the ground, causing sparks to ignite a patch of grass. The fire spread throughout Mendocino County.

Contributing Factors and Other Details
This fire burned roughly 3,380 acres, contributing to the largest fire complex in the history of California, known as the Mendocino Complex Fire. The Mendocino Complex Fire burned 410,203 acres and destroyed 280 structures.

California
Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
July, 11:22 a.m., $15,000,000

Setting
This was a wildland/urban interface fire, known as the West Fire, that occurred in Southern California.

Climate
The fire began on the hottest day of the year, with high temperatures measured at 108 degrees F (42 degrees C). Winds were from the northeast at 4 mph (6 kph).

Fire Origin and Path
The fire spread within San Diego County. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Contributing Factors and Details
The fire burned roughly 504 acres and destroyed 56 structures, including residential and commercial properties.

California
Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
July, 11:41 a.m., $12,000,000

Setting
This was a wildland/urban interface fire, known as the Cranston Fire, that occurred in Southern California.

Climate
The temperature was roughly 82 degrees F (28 degrees C) on the day the fire began. No additional information was reported.

Fire Origin and Path
Arson is listed as the cause of the fire and a man was arrested for the crime. The fire spread through Riverside County and the San Bernardino National Forest.

Contributing Factors and Details
The wildfire burned over 13,139 acres, destroying at least five homes and injuring three people. At least 7,000 residents were evacuated during the incident.

PUBLIC ASSEMBLY

Kansas
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

May, 4 p.m., $70,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a four-story university library of protected noncombustible construction. The library was occupied at the time of the fire. The floor size was not reported.

Fire Protection Systems Fire Development
There was an alarm system present and it operated, alerting the occupants. There was a sprinkler system present. The system operated with 20 sprinklers flowing water.

Fire Development
The fire of undetermined cause broke out on the roof in the area of four large pieces of air handling equipment.

Contributing Factors and
Other Details

The fire, soot, smoke, and water heavily damaged the structure, as well as mechanical systems, electrical systems, and the server for the campus computer system. Also, artwork, books, and all library equipment in 85 percent of the structure were damaged.

Wisconsin
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

May, 3:45 p.m., $17,746,911

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a two-story, 54-foot (17-meter) high, 65,859-square-foot (6,119 square-meter) church of heavy timber construction with masonry walls. There were also three taller towers and steeples.

Fire Protection Systems Fire Development
There was no automatic detection or suppression equipment in the church.

Fire Development
The roof of the church was originally slate. Roofers had removed the slate and were cutting a metal gutter with a grinder. It is believed sparks came in contact with the wooden roof. The fire was discovered about 15 minutes after the workers had left the site.

Contributing Factors and Other Details
By the time firefighters arrived, fire had spread along the entire length of the church roof and heavy fire was visible. Shortly after a primary search was completed, the entire roof collapsed and firefighters went to a defensive attack with aerial master streams. The loss was estimated at $13,500,000 to the structure and $4,200,000 to the contents. The church had been added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

California
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

March, 7:23 p.m., $16,300,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This fire involved a restaurant on the ground floor of a three-story, 100,000-square-foot (9,290-square-meter) structure of unprotected ordinary construction, with 28 vacant residences over five operating businesses.

Fire Protection Systems Fire Development
There was no detection system present. There was a wet pipe sprinkler system present. The system failed to operate during the fire but the reason was not reported.

Fire Development
The fire broke out in the restaurant in a service or equipment area and involved structural components. No additional details were reported.

Contributing Factors and Other Details
The loss was estimated at $16,000,000 to the structure and $300,000 to the contents.

New Jersey
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

October, 13:05 p.m., $10,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a restaurant within a block of businesses with apartments above. The height was reported as three and four stories, with various types of construction. The restaurant was open at the time.

Fire Protection Systems Fire Development
There was no detection equipment. No information reported on suppression equipment.

Fire Development
The cause was undetermined. The fire began in the basement of the restaurant and spread to several stores. The fire spread upward and throughout the building, eventually venting through the roof and causing roof collapses and a wall collapse. Firefighters went to a defensive attack on the fire.

Contributing Factors and Other Details
On arrival, first responders evacuated several occupants in the block of stores. A total of six businesses and 10 apartments were destroyed in the blaze.

SPECIAL PROPERTIES

California
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

April, 12:55 a.m., $60,500,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a four- and six-story, 369,724-square-foot (34,348-square-meter), 180-unit apartment complex of unprotected wood-frame construction that was under construction. No one was on the site at the time of the fire.

Fire Protection Systems
Full-coverage detection equipment was installed, but the type was not reported. Due to the ongoing construction, the system had not yet been activated. There was a full-coverage automatic suppression system of unreported type installed, but due to the construction, it also had not yet been activated.

Fire Development
This was listed as an incendiary fire that started in a first-floor apartment that was in the framing stage, but the incident is still under investigation.

Contributing Factors and
Other Details

The loss was listed as $55 million to the structure and $5.5 million to the contents.

New York
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

February, 4 a.m., $15,100,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a two-story, 22,000-square-foot (2,044-square-meter) former hotel of unprotected wood-frame construction that was under renovation to be used as an independent living facility.

Fire Protection Systems
There was a detection system installed but it was not yet operational. There was also an automatic suppression system, but the system was also not yet operational.

Fire Development
The cause of the fire was listed as undetermined due to the amount of damage, but it is known to have started on the first floor.

Contributing Factors and Other Details
The damage was listed as $15 million to the structure and $100,000 to the contents.

Texas
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
April, 5:01 p.m., $10,607,756

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a two-story, 57,618-square-foot (5,353-square-meter) motel that was being renovated at the time. No one was on site at the time.

Fire Protection Systems
There was a smoke detection system present that did operate. There was no automatic suppression system present.

Fire Development
The cause of the fire was undetermined, but it did start on the first floor.

Contributing Factors and Other Details
This was the second fire in the same structure that day. The loss was listed as $7,857,597 to the structure and $2,750,159 to the contents.

Texas
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

June, 2:20 p.m., $10,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a two-story boiler/mechanical building of protected noncombustible construction that was under construction at a hospital. The ground floor area was not reported.

Fire Protection Systems
There was an automatic detection system and suppression system installed. Neither system was operational due to ongoing construction.

Fire Development
A natural gas buildup from an unreported source was ignited by an undetermined ignition source, causing an explosion and fire.

Contributing Factors and Other Detail
There were three deaths in this explosion and fire. One victim was found on the roof of the structure and died at the scene, and two victims were removed from the debris inside, one in the boiler room and one in the mechanical room.

MANUFACTURING PROPERTIES

Illinois
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
July, 12:20 a.m., $21,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a one-story, 100,000-square-foot (9,290-square-meter) printing company of protected noncombustible construction that was open and operating at the time.

Fire Protection Systems
There was no detection or automatic suppression system in the part of the structure affected by fire.

Fire Development
The fire/explosion of undetermined cause broke out in operating mechanical equipment in a compressor room containing three large compressors, exhaust fans, and air dryers.

Contributing Factors and
Other Details

The compressor room was located in a warehouse section of the building. While responding, firefighters were notified that employees were evacuating the building but not all workers were accounted for. Upon arrival, firefighters searched and found no workers and were then notified that all were accounted for.

A defensive attack was initiated due to heavy fire conditions. Water supply at the fire scene was a problem, as the city water system did not have enough volume. An alternative water supply was found and flow was sufficient for the fire attack. One firefighter was injured.

There were three large printers inside the facility that were damaged by smoke and water during the fire. The loss was estimated at $1 million to the structure and $20 million to the contents.

California
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

August, 10:45 P.M., $20,030,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status

This was a wood product manufacturing plant that produced lumber and millwork. No information was reported on the size or operating status of the plant.

Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported on detection equipment. There was a sprinkler system present but it was not reported if it activated.

Fire Development
No information was reported on the cause and origin.

Contributing Factors and Other Detail
Materials within the building, including wood chips and sawdust, contributed to the fire spread. The loss was estimated at $30,000 to the structure and $20 million to the contents.

Texas
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

July, 2 a.m., $15,100,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a one-story, 61,500-square-foot (5,714-square-meter) digital technology company. The construction type and operating status were not reported.

Fire Protection Systems
There was a combination heat and smoke detection system present that operated. There was no automatic suppression system present.

Fire Development
An electrical malfunction of an unreported type ignited a structural member.

Contributing Factors and
Other Detail

One firefighter was injured fighting the fire.

South Carolina
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

February, 9 a.m., $15,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a 75-foot-high, 150,000-square-foot (13,935-square-meter) wood product manufacturing plant that produced particle board and laminates. No information was reported on its operating status.

Fire Protection Systems
No details were reported.

Fire Development
The fire of undetermined cause began in a press pit, believed to be where particle board is pressed. No other details were reported.

Contributing Factors and
Other Detail

No information was reported

Oregon
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

May, 7:30 p.m., $15,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a sawmill. No additional details were reported.

Fire Protection Systems
No details were reported.

Fire Development
No details were reported.

Contributing Factors and Other Detail
No details were reported.

STORAGE PROPERTIES

New Hampshire

Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
January, 6 p.m., $18,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a lumber yard. No additional details were reported.

Fire Protection Systems
No details were reported.

Fire Development
No details were reported.

Contributing Factors and Other Detail

No details were reported.

Alaska
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

February, 10:55 p.m., $12,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was two-story, 16,021-square-foot (1,488-square-meter), public works storage building of unprotected noncombustible construction. No one was at the site when the fire started.

Fire Protection Systems
No detection or automatic suppression equipment was present.

Fire Development
The fire began in a wall assembly after a cutting torch ignited a structural component. The type was not reported.

Contributing Factors and
Other Detail

The building was used for storage of village-owned vehicles and other stored goods. The discovery of the fire was delayed because there were no personnel present in the building at the time, and also because there were no detectors present.

California
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

September, 7:20 a.m., $11,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a single-story, 75,000-square-foot (6,968-square-meter) bulk storage warehouse that was in operation at the time of the fire. The construction type was not reported.

Fire Protection Systems
There were detectors present but the type was not reported and the operation was undetermined. There was also a sprinkler system present. The type and operation were not reported.

Fire Development
The fire broke out on the first floor but the cause was undetermined.

Contributing Factors and
Other Detail

The loss was estimated at $10 million to the structure and $1 million to the contents.

Texas
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

June, 12:37 p.m. $10,250,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a four-story, 855,036-square-foot (79,435-square-meter) warehouse of protected ordinary construction that was operating.

Fire Protection Systems
There was a detection system of unreported type present that operated and alerted the occupants. There was a wet-pipe sprinkler system present that operated with six sprinklers flowing water. The system controlled the fire.

Fire Development
The fire broke out in a third-floor storage area. The cause is undetermined.

Contributing Factors and
Other Detail

Firefighters had suppression problems related to ventilation difficulties due to the building’s size, stock, and content arrangement. The loss was listed as $250,000 to the structure and $10 million to the contents.

VEHICLE FIRE

Tennessee
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

October, 6:06 p.m., $16,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
The fire involved an engine on a commercial aircraft that was located in an aircraft loading area of an airport.

Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported.

Fire Development
The cause of the fire was a mechanical failure that allowed a quantity of JP-4 jet fuel to come into contact with the aircraft's hot engine. The fire was contained to the aircraft engine.

Contributing Factors and
Other Details

The fire broke out during preflight checks and was noticed by maintenance personnel on the ground. Arriving firefighters found flame and smoke issuing from the engine. The HRET (High Reach Extendable Turret) apparatus was located at the rear of the engine and firefighters used foam to extinguish the fire. After the fire was extinguished, a thermal imaging device was used to check the engine heat, after which it was allowed to cool for about 10 minutes. Water was then used to cool the engine cowling and rinse the foam from the engine.

Texas
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

May, 12:10 a.m., $12,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a cargo ship 655 feet (199.8 meters) long and 91 feet (27.8 meters) wide of steel construction. The ship was in port to offload cargo. The type of cargo was not reported.

Fire Protection Systems
There was a detection system present. Its type was not reported but the system operated. There was a carbon dioxide suppression system on board that was manually operated and extinguished the fire. The loss was high due to the cargo consisting of wind turbine components that were damaged

Fire Development
During hot work, embers fell between pieces of cargo and ignited them.

Contributing Factors and
Other Detail

There was a fire watch on scene during cutting operations. About 25 minutes after the hot work was discontinued, smoke could be smelled and the detection system activated. As crew members made their way to the scene, the CO2 system was manually activated and the fire was extinguished.

INDUSTRAL, UTILITY, DEFENSE

Missouri
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

May, 2:21 a.m., $20,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a structure on a hog farm that was one story in height, covering 140,965 square feet (13,098 square meters). The construction type was not reported. No one was in the building at the time.

Fire Protection Systems
There was a detection system connected to a location away from the farm. The system operated and notified the off-site location, which responded to investigate. There was no information reported on automatic suppression equipment.

Fire Development
The cause and origin were listed as undetermined due to the complete destruction of the building.

Contributing Factors and
Other Detail

When the person who was notified by the alarm system arrived, one building had already burnt to the ground. By the time firefighters arrived, a second building with an area of 105,560 square feet (9,807 square meters) had also burned to the ground. The fire killed 16,000 animals. The fire department’s response took longer than normal due to foggy weather conditions.

STORES AND OFFICES

California
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

January, 12:21 a.m., $10,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a single-story, 50,000-square-foot (4,645-square-meter) automobile dealership of protected ordinary construction. It was unclear if the building was occupied at the time the fire broke out.

Fire Protection Systems
Detection and suppression systems were not present.

Fire Development
The cause was listed as undetermined, but the fire broke out near a vehicle in the repair and service area.

Contributing Factors and
Other Details

This was a luxury car dealership. The fire damaged several vehicles and structural components.

California
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss

July, 4:20 p.m., $15,000,000

Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a one-story cannabis greenhouse of plastic and metal construction. The floor size was not reported.

Fire Protection Systems
There were no detection or automatic suppression systems.

Fire Development
The fire began when an abandoned cigarette ignited plastic outside the greenhouse. The type of plastic item ignited was not reported. No additional information was reported.

Contributing Factors and
Other Detail

The first firefighters arrived in five minutes and found several greenhouses already involved in fire. Windy conditions spread the fire to a row of 14 exposures, most of which were greenhouses of the same size and construction type. Other exposures included cultivating tools and equipment, a conveyer belt and hopper, and a motorcycle. The losses were estimated at
$12 million to the structures and $3 million to the contents.