Central ND News

The Bismarck Fire Department responded to a fire at a commercial building on the south side of Bismarck, North Dakota, this morning. The incident occurred on April 28, 2025, at approximately 7:39 AM, when a call was received about a fire involving a refrigerator at the Petco store located at 525 S 5th St. Fire crews were promptly dispatched to the location.

Upon arrival at 7:43 AM, firefighters encountered light smoke emanating from the store's front door. Employees reported that a refrigerator at the building's rear was the source of the fire and confirmed that all individuals had safely evacuated.

Inside, firefighters discovered medium smoke levels but no significant heat. They located the burning refrigerator and noted that the store's sprinkler system had already extinguished most of the fire. Firefighters used an extinguisher to put out the remaining smoldering materials. Additional teams ensured the building was unoccupied and checked on the animals in cages. Following the extinguishment, the scene was thoroughly overhauled, and the building was ventilated to remove smoke.

There were no reported injuries to firefighters, store occupants, or animals. Fire damage was limited to the appliance and its immediate vicinity, with light smoke damage affecting the rest of the store. An investigation determined that the fire's cause was accidental.

The store's sprinkler system played a crucial role in quickly extinguishing the fire, thus minimizing damage and potential property loss. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that in buildings equipped with sprinkler systems, 97% of fires are confined to their room of origin, reducing fire damage by up to 90%.

Inquiries can be directed to the Bismarck Fire Department at (701) 355-1400.