Now, fire officials are giving credit to the building’s sprinkler system for helping to save both property and people while recalling a similar fire a few months ago that left extensive damage in another apartment building without sprinklers.
Crews from Union Fire Association, Narberth Fire Company, Belmont Hills Fire Company, Penn Wynne Fire Company, and the Lower Merion Fire Department Office responded to the building on the 600 block of Righters Ferry Road at 12:39 a.m. on the report of smoke and flames coming from an apartment.
While approaching the site, the fire department received a water flow alarm, meaning the sprinkler system had activated.
At the same time, Lower Merion police arrived and reported that everyone had been evacuated. As they arrived, fire crews confirmed that there was a fire in the building but that it appeared to be under control due to the sprinkler system. By 1:10 a.m., the fire was officially put under control by firefighters.
According to officials, the fire started when the resident was cooking fried chicken and left the stove unattended. The oil overheated and caught fire. It then began spreading to the cabinets.
The sprinkler system kicked in and extinguished the fire. The fire was contained to the stove and cabinets due to the sprinkler system.
One firefighter was injured and transported to the hospital for possible heat exhaustion. All fire crews were cleared by 1:51 a.m.
While investigating the first fire, a second fire was reported when heat tape around a soil pipe ignited in a garage.
Crews from the Union Fire Association were called back and extinguished the second fire. The occupants were allowed back into the residence after Lower Merion Fire Marshals completed their investigation at about 3 a.m.
Lower Merion Chief Fire Officer Chas McGarvey said there was another apartment fire that took place in May at the Oak Hill Terrace in Penn Valley. The main difference between the two fires is that there were no sprinklers at Oak Hill, and there was much more damage. The Royal Athena is a new building and the sprinklers helped to extinguish the fire.
Residents at the Royal Athena were then able to be back into their apartments less than three hours after the fire started. Although the fire at Oak Hill occurred May 24, residents are still not able to occupy their residences, he said.
“This is a perfect example of the importance of sprinkler systems and how they save property and lives,” McGarvey said.-
