NFPA Journal - November/December 2017 - 95

Large-Loss Fires in the
United States in 2016
STORAGE
California
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
March, 7:47 p.m., $40 million
Property Characteristics and
Operating Status
This was a one-story, 70,000square-foot (6,503-square-meter)
warehouse containing textiles. No
information was reported on its
construction or operating status.
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported.
Fire Development
No information was reported.
Contributing Factors and Details
The building contained baled
materials and textiles, creating a
large fire load. There was partial
collapse of the roof and front wall
of the structure.

CALIFORNIA NIGHTMARE
A wildfire in Northern California destroyed
an estimated 300 structures and resulted in
nearly $175 million in property damage.

accounted for the largest and second-largest fires,
and in 2007 the three largest fires in terms of estimated loss were WUI fires. In the past 10 years,
there have been 33 wildland fires that accounted
for more than $10 million each in direct property
losses. In human terms, these fires have been
responsible for 31 deaths, 278 injuries, and $7.3
billion in loss to property.
In each of the past 10 years, at least one fire has
resulted in a loss of more than $100 million, with
a total of 26 such fires occurring over that period.
Of these largest-loss fire events, 14 were WUI fires,
10 were structure fires, and two were vehicle fires.
The two largest fires, both WUI fires, resulted in
losses of more than $1 billion.

Minnesota
Month, Time of Alarm,
Dollar Loss
September, 5:34 p.m., $25 million
Property Characteristics and
Operating Status
This was a one-story, 561,000square-foot (52,119-square-meter)
warehouse containing various
products as well as food items,
and was of protected, noncombustible construction. The
warehouse was operating at the
time of the fire.
Fire Protection Systems
There was a smoke detection
system present but the coverage
and operation were not reported.
There was a full-coverage wet
pipe suppression system present.
Five sprinkler heads operated and
controlled the fire.
Fire Development
The only information reported
was that the fire broke out in the
center of the warehouse and
that plastic product bulk storage was involved. The cause is
undetermined.
Contributing Factors and
Details
None reported. The loss was estimated at $10,000 to the building
and $25 million to the contents.
All contents were soot-covered.
California
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
July, 6:47 p.m., $15.2 million
Property Characteristics and
Operating Status
This was a large wood pallet storage yard.
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported.
Fire Development
No information was reported.
Contributing Factors and Details
Upon arrival, firefighters found
the pallet yard fully involved and
endangering six other commercial
structures.

Texas
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
November, 8:17 a.m., $13 million
Property Characteristics and
Operating Status
This was a one-story, 30,000square-foot (2,787-square-meter) mini-storage facility of
unprotected, noncombustible
construction. The business was
operating at the time of the fire.
Fire Protection Systems
There was no smoke or automatic
suppression system present.
Fire Development
The cause is reported as
undetermined.
Contributing Factors and Details
One firefighter was injured. The loss
was estimated at $1 million damage
to the building and $12 million
to the contents, which included
boats, cars, and other items.
Georgia
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
May, 10:08 p.m., $12 million
Property Characteristics and
Operating Status
This was a one-story, 114,000square-foot (10,591-square-meter) marine equipment and parts
warehouse of unprotected, ordinary construction. The business
was closed at the time of the fire.
Fire Protection Systems
A smoke/heat detection system
was present. Its coverage was not
reported but it did operate. There
was no automatic suppression
system present.
Fire Development
The cause is reported as
undetermined.
Contributing Factors and Details
Upon arrival, firefighters found
smoke showing from one side of
the warehouse. Shortly after, the
fire broke through the roof and a
section of wall collapsed. Firefighters were withdrawn from inside the
building and went to a defensive
attack. The fire also extended
to an office area but firefighters
were able to contain that fire. The
loss was estimated at $3 million
damage to the building and $9 million to the contents, which included
various products for marine use.
Tennessee
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
February, 6:26 p.m., $10.3 million
Property Characteristics and
Operating Status
This was a one-story, 137,472square-foot (12,772-square-meter)
warehouse. The construction
type and operating status as well
as the type of contents were not
reported.
Fire Protection Systems
There was no automatic detection
or suppression equipment present.

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - November/December 2017