Residential, Single Family Home

Manchester, MD – Residential sprinkler system contained house fire to one bedroom

Damage was confined to one area of the house.

A sprinkler installed in a home in Manchester helped minimize the damage from a house fire.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says Philip Gray, 85, and his son, Thomas, were moving into a home at 3175 Main Street. Philip Stone was alone in the house late Wednesday morning at around 11:47 when he discovered a fire in a bedroom of the two-story home. He tried to put it out, but the residential sprinkler system was activated. The flames were contained to the bedroom when fire fighters from the Manchester Volunteer Fire Company responded. Personnel used a minimal amount of water to extinguish the remainder of the fire.

Damage is estimated at $35,000  to the home and its contents, and was contained to the bedroom. . The sprinkler activation is crediting with keeping the small fire contained to its area of origin, according to the Fire Marsha’s Office.

Mister Gray refused treatment after sustaining a minor injury to his leg.

Investigators say the cause of the fire was improperly discarded smoking materials.

Officials say the home will be unoccupied for a temporary period of time so that repairs and clean up can take place.