Bismarck Fire Department Responds to Pet Store Fire

BISMARCK, ND - The Bismarck Fire Department responded to a fire at a commercial building on the south side of town this morning.

At approximately 7:39 AM on April 28, 2025, the Bismarck Fire Department received a call for a fire involving a refrigerator at Petco located at 525 S 5^th St. Bismarck Fire Crews were dispatched to the scene.

Fire crews arrived on the scene at 7:43 AM to find a commercial building with light smoke coming from the front door. Employees advised that a refrigerator located at the rear of the store was on fire and confirmed that all occupants had safely evacuated the building.

Firefighters entered the building and found medium smoke conditions with no significant heat. Firefighters found the refrigerator at the back of the store on fire. The building sprinkler system had activated and extinguished the majority of the fire. Firefighters used an extinguisher to extinguish the remaining smoldering material. Additional fire crews searched the store, confirmed that it was unoccupied, and checked on the animals in cages. Once the fire was out, the scene was overhauled, and the building was ventilated of smoke.

No injuries were reported to firefighters, occupants, or animals. The fire damage was contained to the appliance and immediate area, and there was light smoke damage throughout the store. A fire investigation was conducted, and the cause was determined to be accidental.

In this instance, the building's fire sprinkler system is credited with automatically extinguishing the fire and minimizing fire damage and potential loss of property. Per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in buildings with a fire sprinkler system installed, 97% of fires are contained to the room where they started, and damage from a fire can be reduced by as much as 90%.

For more information, contact the Bismarck Fire Department at (701) 355-1400.

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