College/University (on campus), School / University

Sprinkler system suppresses late night fire at University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)

A fire erupted in the third floor of the University of Virginia’s Wilsdorf Hall on Tuesday, October 8. The late night fire was contained by the building’s fire sprinklers until fire crews arrived to eliminate it completely. Occupants of the science building were able to evacuate safely, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Apartment Building, Residential

Fire sprinklers prove effectiveness in apartment fire (Charleston, SC)

Fire crews were alerted to a fire at a downtown Charleston apartment the afternoon of Wednesday, October 9. When they arrived, they found that the fire had been controlled by two sprinkler heads, and firefighters only had to use less than five gallons of water to douse the remaining flames thanks to the fire sprinkler system.

“Fire sprinklers are an invaluable tool to improve life safety and have the potential to reduce property damage,” said Fire Marshal Mike Julazadeh. “These systems are designed to control the fire or reduce the growth of the fire until the fire department can intervene. The sprinkler system in this case preserved the building and limited damages.”

Residential, Sorority / Fraternity

Sprinkler system aids firefighters in fraternity house fire (Medford, MA)

A fire began on the third floor of a college fraternity house on Wednesday, October 9, and fire crews are crediting the home’s fire sprinkler system with saving the building.

Somerville Fire Chief Kevin Kelleher said, “It’s a very old house, and without the fire sprinkler system, the fire would likely have spread to the roof.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but early reports indicate that it was an electrical fire. There were no injuries reported.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Sprinklers control fire at assisted living facility (Mystic, CT)

An early morning fire on October 7 brought the Mystic Fire Department to an assisted living facility. According to reports, a malfunctioning heating pad caused a mattress to catch fire, and the building’s fire sprinkler contained the fire to that room until fire crews extinguished the remaining flames. All of the residents were able to evacuate safely and without injury.

Residential, Townhouse / Condominium

Sprinklers make the difference in a condo fire on the 17th floor (Grand Rapids, MI)

Fire sprinkler system quickly extinguished a cooking fire on the 17th floor of the River House Condos on Tuesday. A grease fire on the stovetop spread to kitchen cabinets in a condo about 4:30 pm. The sprinkler system put out the flames. Firefighters had to reach the 17th floor to shut off the water, said Grand Rapids Fire Battalion Chief Kevin Sehlmeyer.

***Blog Editor’s Note – Please let us know what you think of the coverage by MLive, who focused on water damage rather than the lives and property saved by the automatic fire sprinkler system ***

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Damage minimized at manufacturing plant thanks to fire sprinklers (Lancaster, PA)

Fire sprinklers contained a blaze that began at a manufacturing plant on Sunday, October 6. Just after 10:30 p.m., an oil-heating machine overheated, which started the fire. The fire sprinkler system activated and kept the fire in that area, and an employee used a fire extinguisher to put out the rest of it. The other employees who were in the manufacturing plant at the time were able to safely evacuate, and no injuries were reported.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Sprinkler system aids firefighters in assisted living facility fire (Seattle, WA)

Fire sprinklers are being credited for the safe evacuation of residents of an assisted living facility during a fire which began in the basement the morning of October 7. Firefighters arrived and were able to put out the remaining flames, which were centered around a clothes dryer, within four minutes of arriving to the scene. There were no injuries reported.

Other - School / University, School / University

Fire sprinklers prove worth in college apartment fire (Nashville, TN)

A fire which began in the kitchen of one of Vanderbilt University’s apartment units was quickly extinguished by the building’s fire sprinkler system on the afternoon of Saturday, October 6. The suspected cause of the fire was an unattended pan on a heated stove which then ignited. All of the resident’s were able to evacuate the apartment safely, and no one was injured.

Other - Retail, Retail

Sprinkler puts out fire at retail business (Cerritos, CA)

Firefighters arrived to a retail establishment at about 11 p.m. on October 2 after receiving a waterflow alarm from the business. The fire that began in some packaging materials had already been extinguished by the business’ fire sprinkler system by the time the fire crews arrived, and no one was injured.

*** Blog Editor’s Note – Please let us know what you think of the coverage by the Press-Telegram and City News Service, who focused on water damage rather than the lives and property saved by the automatic fire sprinkler system ***

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