Fire Contained to Classroom Laboratory on North Center Street
NEWS RELEASE
Captain Robert Prendergast
Office: (714) 288-2500 | Cell: 714-914-0438
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sprinkler system helps to limit fire spread
Orange, California, August 24, 2026 – The Orange City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 400 block of North Center Street. The first-arriving unit at approximately 9:25 AM found a multi-story educational building in alarm with the fire sprinkler system activated. Battalion 1 arrived on scene, established command, and began assigning incoming resources to critical tasks, including forcible entry, fire attack, evacuation, and ventilation.
After gaining entry to the building, fire crews encountered light smoke on the second and third floors. Fire attack crews located the affected classroom on the third floor and observed NFPA placarding on the laboratory door. As a precaution, crews stopped their advance, isolated the room, and evaluated the potential for hazardous materials involvement. Crews confirmed that the building’s fire suppression system had controlled the fire and contained it to the laboratory. Due to the nature of the occupancy and the placarding present, Battalion 1 upgraded the incident to a second-alarm response and requested two hazardous materials teams. Hazardous materials personnel evaluated the classroom and determined that no hazardous materials were involved in the incident. The fire was ultimately determined to be contained to a piece of equipment inside the classroom laboratory.
A total of 48 fire personnel responded to the incident. Orange City Fire received assistance from Anaheim Fire & Rescue, Orange County Fire Authority, the Orange Police Department, and Southern California Edison. No injuries to civilians or fire personnel were reported. Fire crews remained on scene for approximately three hours conducting overhaul and salvage operations. The cause of the fire and estimated financial loss remain under investigation.
www.orangecityfire.org
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