Hospital/Care Facility, Hospital/Medical Clinic

Sprinkler system prevents major damage at vision center (Washington, MO)

A sprinkler system prevented extensive damage following a Sunday evening fire. Washington Fire Crews responded to a fire alarm at Advanced Sight Center in the office building at 1351 Jefferson just after 7 p.m. Sunday evening. Assistant Fire Chief Mark Skornia said the fire could have been a lot worse had the sprinkler system not worked to perfection. Skornia said when crews arrived on the scene they noticed heavy smoke inside the building. Crews made entry and saw fire in the ceiling.

Fortunately for the fire crews, the sprinkler system had knocked down much of the fire. Skornia said the fire was smoldering and Washington crews were able to quickly extinguish the problem. Crews then shut down the sprinkler system to prevent further water damage. Once everything was under control, Franklin County Arson Investigator Jim Schuhmacher investigated the situation. Skornia said Schuhmacher found nothing suspicious about the fire. Skornia said it’s believed the fire started in the wiring of a fan. The fan was in an equipment closest, malfunctioned, and caught fire. There were no injuries reported.