Fire Sprinkler Saves: Real Stories of Risk Reduction and Community Safety

In the ongoing journey of ensuring fire and building safety, fire sprinkler systems play an invaluable role. This blog post is part of our ongoing series on fire sprinkler saves, where we share real-world examples of fire incidents where sprinklers have proven to be the difference between catastrophic damage and controlled outcomes. Fire sprinkler systems are designed to activate quickly, reduce the spread of fire, and in many cases, extinguish the fire altogether before it grows out of control. These systems are critical in minimizing risk to both property and lives, making them one of the most effective tools in fire prevention.

In this post, we will highlight several recent fire incidents where sprinkler systems effectively contained fires, ensuring safety and reducing damage. These examples underscore the value of sprinkler systems in community risk reduction, offering us all lessons in the power of proactive safety measures.

Fire at High Wycombe Supermarket

Location: High Wycombe, Western Australia, Australia

Summary: On September 28, 2024, a fire broke out at a supermarket in High Wycombe, Western Australia, when a person ignited toilet paper on a shelf. The fire sprinkler system activated and limited the spread of the fire, allowing staff to safely evacuate customers. While smoke and water caused an estimated $100,000 in damage, the sprinkler system prevented more significant destruction.

Link to original article: Western Australia Police Force

Fire in Burton Displaces Two, Home Saved by Sprinkler System

Location: Burton, South Carolina, USA

Summary: On September 24, 2024, a kitchen fire broke out at Magnolia Park Apartments in Burton, South Carolina. A single sprinkler head activated and successfully extinguished the fire before it could spread further, minimizing damage and protecting other residents.

Link to original article: WSAV-TV

Firefighter Injured While Battling Building Blaze in Fox Crossing

Location: Fox Crossing, Wisconsin, USA

Summary: A fire occurred in an industrial building in Fox Crossing, Wisconsin, on September 27, 2024. The fire sprinkler system played a important role in containing the fire until multiple fire departments arrived to control the situation. Although one firefighter was injured, the sprinkler system's activation limited what could have been a much larger fire.

Link to original article: WBAY

Heritage Pool Supply Suffers 3-Alarm Fire at TX Warehouse

Location: Frisco, Texas, USA

Summary: On September 25, 2024, a fire at Texas Pool Supply in Frisco, Texas, began from a chemical reaction on a pallet. The sprinkler system contained the fire, preventing its spread inside the warehouse. Thanks to the sprinkler system, all employees were evacuated safely, and injuries from chemical exposure were minimized.

Link to original article: Modern Distribution Management

Hospital Fire Scare This Morning

Location: Michigan City, Indiana, USA

Summary: On September 25, 2024, a fire broke out in an office at Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City, Indiana. The fire was extinguished with the help of the building's automatic overhead sprinkler system, preventing damage beyond the initial affected area. Importantly, no patients or staff were harmed during the incident.

Link to original article: Hometown News Now

New Bedford Fire Department Investigating Mill Fire

Location: New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA

Summary: On September 28, 2024, firefighters responded to a fire at a four-story mill in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The sprinkler system kept the fire under control, allowing crews to contain the blaze effectively. The sprinkler system was credited for limiting the fire until firefighters could fully address the situation.

Link to original article: WPRI

Small Apartment Fire on Main Street Leaves Several People Homeless

Location: Brattleboro, Vermont, USA

Summary: On September 23, 2024, a fire in an apartment building at 117 Main Street in Brattleboro was controlled by the sprinkler system, which confined the fire to one apartment. Although water damage occurred throughout the building, the sprinkler system effectively prevented a greater disaster.

Link to original article: Brattleboro Reformer

Small Fire Forces Residents to Evacuate Inkster Apartment Building, No One Hurt

Location: Inkster, Michigan, USA

Summary: On September 25, 2024, a cooking fire in Thompson Tower Apartments activated the sprinkler system, which successfully contained the fire, protecting residents and limiting damage to the building. No injuries were reported.

Link to original article: WXYZ

Sprinkler System Contains Fire at Georgetown Toyota

Location: Georgetown, Ontario, Canada

Summary: On September 24, 2024, a fire started from a battery charger at Georgetown Toyota in Ontario. Thanks to the building's sprinkler system, the fire was contained to the service area, allowing the business to remain open the next day.

Link to original article: Halton Hills Today

St. Vincent de Paul Assessing Damage After Sunday Night Fire

Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA

Summary: On September 23, 2024, a fire at a St. Vincent de Paul warehouse in Eugene, Oregon, was contained by the sprinkler system, which minimized the spread of the fire. The organization is now assessing the damage and seeking community support.

Link to original article: KEZI

Fire Scare at Viking Pawn Shop Tuesday Afternoon

Location: Alexandria, Minnesota, USA

Summary: On September 24, 2024, a fire broke out near the Viking Pawn shop in Alexandria, Minnesota. The sprinkler system activated and contained the fire, preventing any significant damage to the shop. No injuries were reported. 

Link to original article: Alexandria Echo Press

How Fire Sprinkler Systems Work

Fire sprinkler systems are an integral component of fire safety measures in both commercial and residential settings. These systems consist of a network of pipes connected to individual sprinkler heads, which are strategically placed throughout a building. When a fire occurs, the heat causes a fusible link or glass bulb in the sprinkler head to break, releasing water directly over the fire. This rapid response limits the fire's growth, reduces the spread of smoke, and minimizes damage. Typically, only the sprinkler heads in the immediate area of the fire activate, which helps prevent unnecessary water damage.

The Effectiveness of Fire Sprinkler Systems

Fire sprinkler systems are incredibly effective in preventing major fire-related losses. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire sprinklers are successful in controlling fires 97% of the time in buildings that have them installed. They not only provide crucial time for occupants to evacuate safely but also drastically reduce the risk of injury or death. In addition, these systems can significantly reduce property damage by controlling fires before they spread.

Conclusion

The stories shared in this blog post illustrate the immense value of fire sprinkler systems in real-world situations. Whether in a residential apartment, an industrial building, or a commercial setting, sprinklers have proven to be a vital first line of defense in reducing fire damage, saving lives, and ensuring community safety. Investing in fire sprinkler systems is investing in safety, and these examples highlight the importance of integrating these systems into all types of occupancies. As fire and building safety professionals, it is essential to champion these proactive measures to enhance safety across our communities.

Fire sprinkler systems are more than just a safety feature—they are life-saving tools that bring peace of mind and are an essential part of our efforts to reduce fire-related risks. Let us continue to support the implementation of sprinkler systems, celebrate their successes, and work towards a safer future for all.

References

Brattleboro Reformer. (2024, September 23). Small apartment fire on Main Street leaves several people homeless. https://www.reformer.com/local-news/small-apartment-fire-on-main-street-leaves-several-people-homeless

Halton Hills Today. (2024, September 24). Sprinkler system contains fire at Georgetown Toyota. https://www.haltonhillstoday.ca/local-news/sprinkler-system-contains-fire-at-georgetown-toyota-9575385

Hometown News Now. (2024, September 25). Hospital fire scare this morning. https://hometownnewsnow.com/local-news/761637

KEZI. (2024, September 23). St. Vincent de Paul assessing damage after Sunday night fire, seeking donations. https://www.kezi.com/news/st-vincent-de-paul-assessing-damage-after-sunday-night-fire-seeking-donations

Modern Distribution Management. (2024, September 25). Heritage pool supply suffers 3-alarm fire at TX warehouse. https://www.mdm.com/news/top-distributor-sectors/chemicals-plastics-distribution/heritage-pool-supply-suffers-3-alarm-fire-at-tx-warehouse

Western Australia Police Force. (2024, September 28). Fire at High Wycombe supermarket. https://www.police.wa.gov.au/Media-Centre/Media-Releases/5476-Fire-at-High-Wycombe-supermarket

WBAY. (2024, September 27). Firefighter injured while battling building blaze in Fox Crossing. https://www.wbay.com/2024/09/27/fox-crossing-firefighter-injured-while-battling-building-blaze

WPRI. (2024, September 28). New Bedford fire department investigating mill fire. https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/se-mass/new-bedford-fire-department-investigating-mill-fire

WSAV-TV. (2024, September 24). Fire in Burton displaces two, home saved by sprinkler system. https://www.wsav.com/news/local-news/south-carolina-news/fire-in-burton-displaces-two-home-saved-by-sprinkler-system

WXYZ. (2024, September 25). Small fire forces residents to evacuate Inkster apartment building, no one hurt. https://www.wxyz.com/news/small-fire-forces-residents-to-evacuate-inkster-apartment-building-no-one-hurt

Alexandria Echo Press. (2024, September 24). Fire scare at Viking Pawn shop Tuesday afternoon. https://www.echopress.com/news/fire-hits-the-alex-pawn-shop-tuesday-afternoon

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). (2024). U.S. experience with sprinklers. https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/Suppression/US-experience-with-sprinklers