Category Archives: Residential

Sprinkler system controls apartment fire cause by smoking materials (Madison, WI)

The fire department responded to a report of a structure fire in a two-story multiple-family structure around 9:50 a.m.  When crews went into the building they found that the fire was extinguished and under control with one sprinkler head activated closest to the fire, officials said.  Officials said the occupant of the apartment was not home at the time of the fire.  The fire was caused by careless use of smoking materials, investigators said. The resident said he dumped recently-used smoking materials into a wicker basket used for trash before he left the apartment.  The wicker trash basket and a stuffed chair caught fire.  

Fire sprinkler system proves worth in apartment kitchen fire (Des Moines, IA)

A sprinkler system saved a Des Moines apartment from further damage after a fire started in the unit’s kitchen, officials said.  A fire had started while one of the occupants was cooking, officials said. 
Fire officials called the incident a “perfect example of how the fire protection systems required in these residential structures can save lives and property.”

Apartment fire knocked down by sprinklers (Yuma, AZ)

Last week, fire and rescue departments responded to a kitchen fire in an apartment unit. The fire began when grease that was cooking ignited, and when the resident threw water on the fire, it flared up and spread quickly to the ventilation fans and surrounding cabinets. The apartment was equipped with fire sprinklers, which activated upon the fire and extinguished the flames. No injuries were reported.

Fire sprinklers prove worth in college dormitory fire (Burlington, VT)

Fire departments responded to a fire at a college dormitory at about 2:45 a.m. on Thursday. The apartment, which was being renovated, was saved from extensive fire damage by the installed fire sprinkler system. The sprinklers, upon activation from the heat of the fire, then automatically alerted the local emergency response units. The fire was extinguished within ten minutes. Investigators have deemed the fire as arson.

Residential fire sprinklers protect lives and property from fire (Prescott, AZ)

An afternoon fire erupted in a single family home on July 1st. The residents of the home were not aware that their home was on fire until a neighbor notified them. The fire, which began in the garage, had reached the ceiling when the residents first saw it; however, the installed fire sprinkler activated on the fire, and by the time the fire department arrived, the fire was out. 

The estimated loss from the fire was $1,000, and an estimated $600,000 in building and contents were saved thanks to the fire sprinkler system. The cause of the fire was overheated batteries which were being charged on a work bench. No injuries occurred in the incident.

Sprinklers make the difference in apartment fire (Plano, TX)

During the early hours of Tuesday, a grill caught fire on a second story apartment balcony. Before fire crews arrived to the scene, the apartment’s fire sprinkler system activated upon the flames and put them out. Upon being questions by fire investigators, residents of the apartment reported that the grill malfunctioned and ignited surrounding items on fire. No other part of the apartment had damage from the fire. 

Fire Chief Brian Crawford said about the incident, “This is an example of a fire that exemplifies why it’s so important to have these codes in place. Had the apartment and it’s balcony not been fitted with residential fire sprinklers, this fire had the potential to grow much larger and affect many residents. Plano is fortunate to have a large number of apartment complexes with fire sprinklers.”