Real-World Fire Sprinkler Saves: Lessons from Recent Incidents From January 2026

In January, we saw multiple incidents across the U.S. and internationally where sprinklers limited fire spread, reduced injuries, and prevented what could have been much larger losses.

I’ve put together a new slide show highlighting recent fire sprinkler saves from January 2026. These incidents span multifamily housing, schools, senior living facilities, and large industrial buildings. Each one reinforces the same message that early sprinkler activation changes outcomes.

A few notable examples:

✅ Ripon, WI – A lithium-ion battery fire in a senior living facility activated the sprinkler system, containing the fire but displacing residents due to water damage.

🔗 https://www.riponpress.com/news/christmas-eve-fire-senior-living/article_9bab7896-1308-449c-a7be-16830b8951ff.html

✅ Joliet, IL – In a large Amazon warehouse, sprinklers kept a storage rack fire in check during a complex interior operation.

🔗 https://patch.com/illinois/joliet/amazon-warehouse-fire-brandon-road-joliet-fire-department-offers-more-details-what

✅ Harrisonburg, VA – A lithium-ion battery fire inside a 207,000-square-foot Walmart was contained by the sprinkler system within minutes, preventing a potentially catastrophic event.

🔗 https://augustafreepress.com/news/developing-early-morning-fire-reported-at-harrisonburg-walmart/

✅ Nashua, NH – A multi-alarm apartment fire was kept in check by sprinklers in a mixed-use building, allowing safe evacuation of approximately 30 occupants with no reported injuries.

🔗 https://nashua.inklink.news/30-people-evacuated-from-second-floor-apartments-after-2-alarm-fire-at-100-main-street/

✅ Canton, NY – A dormitory dryer fire was held in check by an overhead sprinkler system, limiting damage and preventing extension into student housing.

🔗 https://www.mynbc5.com/article/dryer-fire-st-lawrence-university/70140907

Many of these fires were controlled before crews arrived, and lithium-ion batteries and everyday appliances continue to show up as ignition sources. Sprinklers and alarms working together helped to change the outcomes of these incidents.

Take a few minutes to swipe through the slide show.

I’ve created the spreadsheet with all reviewed incidents, including the title, link, publication date, and description.

You can download it here:

Fire Sprinkler Saves 2025 - 2026.xlsx

Download XLSX • 44KB

🔍 Lessons Learned from This Week’s Fire Sprinkler Saves

Reviewing real-world fire incidents helps us see how systems perform under actual conditions. These recent sprinkler activations across residential, educational, commercial, and industrial occupancies offer reminders about what works and where continued attention is needed.

Room of Origin Control

In the many of these incidents, from apartment kitchen fires in Wisconsin and California to classroom and HVAC fires in Saskatchewan and Washington, sprinkler systems limited fire spread to the room or unit of origin. In several cases, firefighters arrived to find the fire already controlled or extinguished.

Takeaway: Ensure sprinkler systems are properly installed, maintained, and monitored so they can activate early and confine fires before they escalate.

Early Activation Changes Outcomes

Water flow alarms in Kansas City and Ann Arbor alerted responders to fires that were already being suppressed by sprinklers. Early activation reduced fire growth, smoke spread, and potential for flashover, particularly in multifamily housing and assembly settings.

Takeaway: Sprinkler protection with reliable alarm notification systems help to support rapid response and limit occupant exposure.

Vulnerable Occupancies Benefit Most

Senior living facilities, public housing, supportive housing, and nursing homes were among the protected occupancies in these reports. In each case, sprinklers prevented wider fire spread in buildings serving older adults or residents with mobility limitations.

Takeaway: Inspection, testing, and maintenance, continue protect occupants in vulnerable populations.

Water Damage vs. Fire Damage

Several incidents, including those in East Hartford, Ripon, and Bridgeport, resulted in temporary displacement due to sprinkler-related water damage. However, the fire damage itself was limited compared to what would likely have occurred without sprinkler intervention.

Takeaway: Temporary water damage is typically far less disruptive and costly than uncontrolled fire spread.

Everyday Ignition Sources

Cooking appliances, electrical issues, dryers, trash chutes, battery-powered decorative items, lithium-ion battery packs, and overheated materials were recurring ignition sources. These were not unusual hazards, but common building contents and daily-use items.

Takeaway: Public education is important regarding safe cooking practices, appliance maintenance, and battery safety for community risk reduction.

References

ABC News 4 Staff. (2026, January 24). Fire possibly linked to electric blanket contained by sprinkler system, officials say. ABC News 4. https://abcnews4.com/news/local/fire-possibly-linked-to-electric-blanket-contained-by-sprinkler-system-officials-say

Baldi, L. (2026, January 20). Fire in Harborcreek subsided quickly with sprinkler system. Erie News Now. https://www.erienewsnow.com/news/fire-in-harborcreek-subsided-quickly-with-sprinkler-system/article_4706e63a-e1cb-4a8e-854f-130a5259f697.html

Benes, A. (2026, January 27). Omaha firefighters battle bus fire inside Metro Transit building. KETV. https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-firefighters-bus-fire-metro-transit-building/70153624

Blackburn, T. (2026, January 26). Fire at Irving Juniper Organics causes minor damage. River Valley Sun. https://rivervalleysun.ca/fire-at-irvings-juniper-organics-causes-minor-damage/

Bunge, M. (2026, January 29). Fire broke out Wednesday at Shalom Tower II in Mason City. KIMT. https://www.kimt.com/news/fire-broke-out-wednesday-at-shalom-tower-ii-in-mason-city/article_6f0cbbd3-a6d1-4a48-b37a-f19c0d2d406d.html

Cusanelli, M. (2026, January 26). Sprinkler system stops spread of fire at St. Lawrence University. NBC5. https://www.mynbc5.com/article/dryer-fire-st-lawrence-university/70140907

Estrada, J. (2026, January 24). Sprinkler causes leak in Aiea condo after extinguishing fire. KITV Island News. https://www.kitv.com/news/sprinkler-causes-leak-in-aiea-condo-after-extinguishing-fire/article_7f6d5dea-0028-4978-81ba-08b64e24e509.html

First On Scene Media. (2026, January 24). Commercial fire at Golden Grove. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/FirstOnSceneMedia/posts/commercial-fire-at-golden-grovesa-country-fire-service-and-sa-metropolitan-fire-/1511794477074189/

Flisiuk, F. (2026, January 22). Fire leads to temporary closure of Mr. Bagel in South Portland. WMTW. https://www.wmtw.com/article/fire-leads-to-temporarily-closure-of-mr-bagel-in-south-portland/70087941

Ford, T. (2026, January 26). One person transported after high-rise fire on MLK Jr. Drive in Winston-Salem, police say. WFMY News 2. https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/one-person-transported-after-high-rise-fire-on-mlk-jr-drive-in-w-s/83-63e4df05-f0ca-463b-97b4-faed6992eb7a

Free Press Staff. (2026, January 19). Stove fire causes evacuation of Jasper Lofts. Dubois County Free Press. https://duboiscountyfreepress.com/stove-fire-causes-evacuation-of-jasper-lofts/

Graham, C. (2026, January 19). Early-morning fire reported at Harrisonburg Walmart. Augusta Free Press. https://augustafreepress.com/news/developing-early-morning-fire-reported-at-harrisonburg-walmart/

Howland, M. K. (2026, January 29). Three residents, pet displaced after Mauldin apartment fire, officials say. FOX Carolina. https://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/01/29/live-fire-crews-respond-apartment-mauldin/

Philippe-Auguste, D. (2026, January 27). Early morning Elkton house fire injures five, including child. WMAR-2 News. https://www.wmar2news.com/news/region/cecil-county/early-morning-elkton-house-fire-injures-five-including-child

Robidoux, C. (2026, January 30). Sprinklers suppress attic fire at Nashua Country Club, but water damage is done. Nashua Ink Link. https://nashua.inklink.news/sprinklers-suppress-attic-fire-at-nashua-country-club-but-water-damage-is-done/

Robidoux, C. (2026, February 1). 30 people evacuated from second-floor apartments after 2-alarm fire at 100 Main Street. Nashua Ink Link. https://nashua.inklink.news/30-people-evacuated-from-second-floor-apartments-after-2-alarm-fire-at-100-main-street/

Scott, J. (2026, January 28). Multiple fire crews battle Plainfield restaurant fire. 1340 WJOL. https://www.wjol.com/176218-2/

Shepard, L. (2026, January 30). Battle Creek apartment fire Jan. 28 2026 kitchen fire. Battle Creek Enquirer. https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/2026/01/30/battle-creek-apartment-fire-jan-28-2026-kitchen-fire/88434419007/

Sofield, T. (2026, January 22). Sprinkler system contains warehouse fire. LevittownNow.com. https://levittownnow.com/2026/01/22/sprinkler-system-contains-warehouse-fire/

Traut, L. (2026, January 15). Baling machine catches fire at New Lenox packaging plant: Fire officials. Patch. https://patch.com/illinois/newlenox/baling-machine-catches-fire-new-lenox-packaging-plant-fire-officials

WAGM News. (2026, January 21). Working smoke detectors and sprinkler system save Hilltop Apartments in Caribou. WAGM News. https://www.wagmtv.com/2026/01/21/working-smoke-detectors-sprinkler-system-save-hilltop-apartments-caribou/

WTVR CBS 6 Web Staff. (2026, January 20). 1 hurt in American Family sauna fire; firefighters share likely cause. WTVR CBS 6. https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/american-family-fitness-sauna-fire-jan-20-2026

News Staff. (2026, January 19). Firefighters contain blaze at former Rite Aid building in Lebanon. NBC16. https://nbc16.com/news/local/firefighters-contain-blaze-at-former-rite-aid-building-in-lebanon

Brown, K. (2026, January 4). Franklin firefighters extinguish blaze at magnet wire manufacturing facility. WSMV. https://www.wsmv.com/2026/01/04/franklin-firefighters-extinguish-blaze-magnet-wire-manufacturing-facility/

Conter, M. (2026, January 7). HVAC unit catches fire, cancels classes at Green Mountain Elementary. Kitsap Sun. https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2026/01/07/classes-at-green-mountain-elementary-canceled-due-to-morning-fire/88067244007/

Contributing Editor. (2026, January 8). Automatic sprinklers douse stove fire in Wilmington apartment complex. MyNewsLA. https://mynewsla.com/fire/2026/01/08/wilmington-apartment-fire-doused-by-automatic-sprinklers/

Fohner, K. (2026, January 6). No injuries reported after Gastonia nursing home fire. Gastonia Gazette. https://www.gastongazette.com/story/news/local/2026/01/06/no-injuries-reported-after-gastonia-nursing-home-fire/88047134007/

Johansen, N. (2026, January 8). Fire breaks out on third floor of Ellis Place supportive housing. Castanet. https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/592925/Fire-breaks-out-on-third-floor-of-Ellis-Place-supportive-housing

Jones, K. (2026, January 2). None hurt or displaced after cooking fire at Fitchburg apartment. Channel 3000. https://www.channel3000.com/news/none-hurt-or-displaced-after-cooking-fire-at-fitchburg-apartment/article_36b8dd8a-2b50-4023-889e-423573aef32a.html

Massie, G. (2026, January 6). Fire at Rosetown school leaves water and smoke damage, but no injuries. 650 CKOM. https://www.ckom.com/2026/01/06/fire-at-rosetown-school-leaves-water-and-smoke-damage-but-no-injuries/

Mathews, R. (2026, January 8). Fire at Kenwood Senior Living sparks community support. Ripon Press. https://www.riponpress.com/news/christmas-eve-fire-senior-living/article_9bab7896-1308-449c-a7be-16830b8951ff.html

Rosenberg, N. (2026, January 1). Fire at East Hartford public housing complex displaced 4. Journal Inquirer. https://www.trumbulltimes.com/journalinquirer/article/east-hartford-public-housing-fire-displaces-four-21271706.php

Seagraves, T. (2026, January 5). Balcony fire triggers response in Georgetown. CoastTV. https://www.coasttv.com/news/balcony-fire-triggers-response-in-georgetown/article_dea865d4-6451-452a-b3e4-503eb49913d1.html

Shields, M. (2026, January 6). Fire in Greenacres contained by sprinkler system. WPBF 25 News. https://www.wpbf.com/article/fire-greenacres-contained-sprinkler-system/69920823

Shriner, Z. (2026, January 11). Elderly woman treated for burns after apartment fire. KCTV5. https://www.kctv5.com/2026/01/11/sprinkler-system-keeps-fire-elderly-womans-apartment-spreading/

Trachtenberg, B. (2026, January 4). Ten people displaced after Bridgeport fire. NBC Connecticut. https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/ten-people-displaced-after-bridgeport-fire/3682702/

WSBTV.com News Staff. (2026, January 15). Chemical fire in Clayton County; shelter-in-place lifted. WSB-TV. https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/chemical-fire-causes-evacuation-clayton-193841291.html

Alymova, A. (2026, January 8). Sun Peaks Fire and Rescue respond to evening apartment fire in Sun Peaks. Sun Peaks Independent News. https://sunpeaksnews.com/sun-peaks-fire-and-rescue-respond-to-evening-apartment-fire-in-sun-peaks/

Country Herald Police Reports. (2026, January 3). Washtenaw County, MI – West Ann Arbor Apartment Fire: 68-Year-Old Man Critically Injured Today. Country Herald. https://countryherald.com/news/washtenaw-county-mi-west-ann-arbor-apartment-fire-68-year-old-man-critically-injured-today/

Hagan, J. (2026, January 9). Electrical issue identified as cause of Rosetown Central High fire. WestCentralOnline. https://westcentralonline.com/articles/electrical-issue-identified-as-cause-of-rosetown-central-high-fire