In the world of fire and building safety, one innovation stands out as being consistently effective: fire sprinkler systems. These systems present and waiting until their moment to jump into action. Whether in schools, homes, or commercial spaces, fire sprinkler systems have proven their value time and again by preventing devastating losses, saving lives, and minimizing property damage.
Sprinkler systems are a critical element of community risk reduction (CRR), acting as a first line of defense when fires break out. By controlling or extinguishing a fire at its source, these systems not only protect occupants but also prevent fires from spreading, reducing the demand on fire department resources. The following are real-life examples of fire sprinkler systems successfully stopping fires and mitigating damage in various settings.
Authorities Investigate Overnight Break-In, Fire at Warner Robins High School
Location: Warner Robins, Georgia, USA
Summary: Authorities are investigating a break-in at Warner Robins High School where a small fire was started in the multi-purpose room around 12:30 a.m. The fire triggered the school's overhead sprinkler system, which promptly extinguished the flames and minimized damage. The fire department was alerted and responded quickly, ensuring the school was ready for students the next morning. The fire caused only minimal damage thanks to the activated sprinkler system.
Link to original article: WGXA
Barn Fire at The Big E, Horses Evacuated
Location: West Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
Summary: A small fire broke out at The Big E fairgrounds in one of the horse stables after the fair closed for the night. The barn’s sprinkler system quickly extinguished the fire, though it startled several horses, which were later safely recovered. Minor damage occurred to the stables, and two employees sustained minor injuries. The barn continues to operate, with an investigation into the cause of the fire underway.
Link to original article: Western Mass News
Firefighters Respond to Early Morning Blaze at Local Farm Store
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Summary: Firefighters were called to the Wilco Farm Store in Eugene early in the morning following reports of smoke and visible flames. Upon arrival, they found the store’s sprinkler system had already contained the fire, preventing it from spreading further. Crews were able to fully extinguish the flames. The fire is being treated as suspicious, and authorities are working with store management to review surveillance footage. The sprinkler system played a crucial role in holding back the fire until firefighters arrived.
Link to original article: KPIC
Grease Fire on Unattended Stove Displaces 12 from Toms River Apartment
Location: Toms River, New Jersey, USA
Summary: A grease fire caused by unattended cooking on a stove in The Willows at Toms River apartment complex displaced 12 residents. The fire spread to the microwave above, activating the sprinkler system, which quickly extinguished the flames. Unfortunately, the water from the sprinklers caused damage to two adjacent units, leading the Toms River Building Department to declare all three units unsafe. The New Jersey chapter of the American Red Cross assisted the displaced families. This incident marked the second fire in a week where a sprinkler system effectively mitigated damage.
Link to original article: Daily Voice
Hand Sanitizer Bottles Spark Minor Explosion at ReWorld Avon Lake
Location: Avon Lake, Ohio, USA
Summary: A minor explosion occurred at ReWorld, a waste and recycling facility, while workers were shredding hand sanitizer bottles, sparking a fire. Two employees were injured—one with burns and another experiencing respiratory distress—both expected to recover. Although ReWorld’s communications team downplayed the incident, the Avon Lake Fire Chief reported that the facility’s sprinkler system, alongside the fire department’s response, controlled the fire within 20 minutes. Heavy damage was sustained by the machinery involved, with minor damage to the building.
Link to original article: WKYC
Juveniles Detained for Starting Tupelo Walmart Fire
Location: Tupelo, Mississippi, USA
Summary: Three juveniles were responsible for starting a fire in the arts and crafts section of a Walmart in Tupelo, using fake flowers as kindling. The fire triggered the store’s sprinkler system, which promptly activated, causing water damage. The incident led to the evacuation of the store, and two of the juveniles were detained at the Lee County Juvenile Detention Center, while the third is still being sought. All charges will be handled by Lee County Youth Court.
Link to original article: Daily Journal
Lakeside Place Suites Suffer Water Damage Following Kitchen Fire
Location: Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
Summary: A kitchen fire in a suite at Lakeside Place, a Nelson Cares building, triggered the sprinkler system, which quickly extinguished the fire. Although the fire was contained to a single unit, water from the sprinklers caused damage to the floors below. Nelson Fire and Rescue responded with a team of seven firefighters and two chief officers. The fire alarm system activated, aiding in the evacuation of residents. Firefighters ensured the fire was completely extinguished and assisted with cleanup.
Link to original article: The Nelson Daily
Lithium Battery Causes Apartment Fire in Fargo
Location: Fargo, North Dakota, USA
Summary: A fire broke out in an apartment at The Nest in Fargo, caused by a malfunctioning lithium battery. The fire was contained to one unit on the second floor, with the building's sprinkler system extinguishing the flames. Damage was primarily caused by water, with some minor fire and smoke damage. Most residents were able to return to their apartments after the fire was controlled.
Link to original article: Valley News Live
No Cause Yet for Early Morning Fire in Snohomish
Location: Snohomish, Washington, USA
Summary: Early Saturday morning, firefighters responded to a fire alarm at a 17,000-square-foot commercial building in Snohomish. Smoke was visible, and the response was escalated to a full commercial fire. The building's sprinkler system activated, keeping the fire in check until crews fully extinguished it. Units from multiple fire districts responded, and the Snohomish County Fire Marshal is leading the investigation into the fire's cause, which remains undetermined.
Link to original article: KOMOÂ News
No Students Displaced After Fire in Staff Workroom at ISU Watterson Towers
Location: Normal, Illinois, USA
Summary: A fire broke out in the staff workroom of Watterson Towers at Illinois State University. The building’s sprinkler system activated, containing the fire to the workroom, which is located near the second-floor fitness center. Firefighters arrived and extinguished the fire, while other crews searched for any fire spread. Although water damage occurred on the second floor, no students were displaced as the fire was confined to non-residential areas.
Link to original article: 25News Now
PFD Credits Sprinkler System for Preventing Commercial Structure Fire
Location: Lewiston, Wisconsin, USA
Summary: The Portage Fire Department responded to a fire at a cold storage building in the Town of Lewiston. The fire began in several boxes of regrind plastic, causing the building’s sprinkler system to activate. At least six sprinkler heads deployed, controlling the fire before it could spread further. Firefighters worked for hours to move materials and fully extinguish the fire. The Portage Fire Department credited the sprinkler system with preventing a larger fire. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Link to original article: WMTV
Small Fire Causes Water and Smoke Damage in Class of 1953 Commons
Location: Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
Summary: A small fire broke out in the Class of 1953 Commons at Dartmouth College, likely due to a malfunctioning lithium-ion battery in a second-floor utility closet. The sprinkler system activated and extinguished the fire before it could spread beyond the closet. While no one was injured, the building sustained minor smoke and water damage. Between 200 and 300 students and staff were evacuated, and the dining hall was able to reopen for breakfast after cleanup efforts.
Link to original article: The Dartmouth
How Fire Sprinkler Systems Work
Fire sprinkler systems are designed to respond quickly to heat, releasing water directly over the source of the fire. Each sprinkler head activates individually, based on the temperature in the surrounding area, meaning only the heads directly exposed to the fire will release water. This targeted approach helps to limit fire spread while minimizing water damage.
The Effectiveness of Fire Sprinklers
Studies have shown that fire sprinklers can reduce the risk of death by 87% in homes with sprinkler systems and reduce direct property damage by up to 68% in commercial properties (NFPA, 2017). These statistics emphasize the life-saving and property-conserving impact of sprinkler systems, making them a vital tool in community risk reduction.
As these real-world incidents demonstrate, fire sprinkler systems are an indispensable component of fire safety. They prevent fires from escalating into larger, more destructive events, protect occupants, and limit damage to buildings. The continued use and installation of sprinkler systems in both residential and commercial buildings will remain a cornerstone of effective fire prevention strategies, saving lives and reducing risk.
References
Daily Journal. (2024, September 12). Juveniles detained for starting Tupelo Walmart fire. https://www.djournal.com/news/crime-law-enforcement/juveniles-detained-for-starting-tupelo-walmart-fire
Daily Voice. (2024, September 21). Grease fire on unattended stove displaces 12 from Toms River apartment. https://dailyvoice.com/nj/toms-river/grease-fire-on-unattended-stove-displaces-12-from-toms-river-apartment-firefighters
KOMO News. (2024, September 14). No cause yet for early morning fire in Snohomish, investigation underway. https://komonews.com/news/local/no-cause-yet-for-early-morning-fire-in-snohomish-investigation-underway-commercial-fire-48-firefighters-respond-burning-snohomish-city-regional-fire-sprinkler-system-crews-blaze-units-investigators
KPIC. (2024, September 18). Firefighters respond to early morning blaze at local farm store, investigations underway. https://www.kpic.com/news/local/firefighters-respond-to-early-morning-blaze-at-local-farm-store-investigations-underway
National Fire Protection Association. (2017). U.S. experience with sprinklers. NFPA Research. https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/News-and-Research/Fire-statistics-and-reports/Suppression/ossprinklers.pdf
The Dartmouth. (2024, September 21). Small fire causes water and smoke damage in Class of 1953 Commons. https://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2024/09/small-fire-causes-water-and-smoke-damage-in-class-of-1953-commons
The Nelson Daily. (2024, September 11). Lakeside Place suites suffer water damage following kitchen fire. https://thenelsondaily.com/2024/09/lakeside-place-suites-suffer-water-damage-following-kitchen-fire
Valley News Live. (2024, September 17). Lithium battery causes apartment fire in Fargo. https://www.valleynewslive.com/2024/09/17/lithium-battery-causes-apartment-fire-fargo
WGXA. (2024, September 21). Authorities investigate overnight break-in, fire at Warner Robins High School. https://wgxa.tv/news/local/authorities-investigate-overnight-break-in-fire-at-warner-robins-high-school
Western Mass News. (2024, September 21). Barn fire at The Big E, horses evacuated. https://www.westernmassnews.com/2024/09/21/horses-evacuated-after-barn-fire-big-e
WKYC. (2024, September 21). Hand sanitizer bottles spark minor explosion at ReWorld Avon Lake. https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/lorain-county/avon-lake-fire-chief-2-workers-injured-hand-sanitizer-bottles-spark-minor-explosion-reworld-waste-and-recycling-facility
WMTV. (2024, September 14). PFD credits sprinkler system for preventing commercial structure fire. https://www.wmtv15news.com/2024/09/14/pfd-credits-sprinkler-system-preventing-commercial-structure-fire
25News Now. (2024, September 11). No students displaced after fire in staff workroom at ISU Watterson Towers. https://www.25newsnow.com/2024/09/11/no-students-displaced-after-fire-staff-workroom-isu-watterson-towers
Commentaires