UPS facility saved by fire sprinkler system (Violetville, MD)

The Baltimore County Fire Department said that the call came in at about 9:45 a.m. reporting that a conveyer belt had caught fire. Batallion Chief Joe Brown said the fire was difficult to locate due to the smoke, size of the building and number/layers of conveyer belts. "Thankfully, the sprinkler system activated, suppressing the fire to the point that we could get in there," he said.

Sprinkler puts out home fire caused by unattended candles (Ventura, CA)

First arriving units reported light smoke in the structure. Further investigation revealed an activated fire sprinkler system had extinguished the fire. The fire, which had originated on a fireplace mantel, appeared to have been started by unattended candles. No injuries to Firefighters or residents were reported as a result of this incident.

Sprinkler system controls fire at Value Place hotel (Fort Walton Beach, FL)

The Value Place hotel at the corner of Racetrack Road and Eglin Parkway was evacuated after a small fire started in a room on the second floor about 4:20 p.m. Monday. Someone had placed a box on top of a stove burner and then turned the burner on. The box caught fire and activated the hotel’s sprinkler system, which put out the fire, said Capt. Jeff Wagner with the Ocean City-Wright Fire Department.

Restaurant fire extinguished by sprinklers, Reopens same day (Sevierville, TN)

A sprinkler system saved a Sevierville Red Lobster from burning down Sunday morning. According to SFD Fire Marshal Tommy White, it appeared the fire started in a pile of empty boxes and trash located inside the rear door of the restaurant. “The cause of the fire is likely improperly discarded embers from a wood-burning stove,” said Fire Marshal White. Firefighters say the overhead sprinkler quickly put out the fire. No damage was reported and the restaurant was allowed to open on Sunday.

Grocery store fire suppressed by two sprinklers (Oakbrook Terrace, IL)

*** NO MEDIA COVERAGE AVAILABLE *** The Oakbrook Terrace Fire Protection District reported a fire alarm activation at roughly 11:30 PM on Sunday, Nov. 25 at an approximately 60,000 square foot fresh market grocery store. A fire in the cooler / meat preparation area was suppressed by two ceiling mounted fire sprinkler heads. No hand lines were required for final extinguishment.

Sprinkler prevents fire from spreading in middle school (Mooresville, IN)

After firefighters fought an intentionally-set blaze at Mooresville's Paul Hadley Middle School, school surveillance video helped investigators nab a suspect.  Dispatchers received a fire alarm call just before 2:00 a.m. Saturday morning. When crews arrived and made access to the building, they discovered smoke in a hallway.  In a release, a fire department spokesman says the fire was prevented from spreading by an activated sprinkler head.

Sprinklers contain hotel fire to room of origin (Reno, NV)

Fire crews are investigating a fire that broke out inside the Ponderosa Hotel in south Reno on Thanksgiving morning.  The fire started just after 10:30am on the third floor of the South Virginia Street hotel.  The fire was contained to the one room, whichwas locked at the time the fire started, though no one was inside.  Firefighters say a few guests on third floor were evacuated as a precaution. The fire activated the building's sprinkler system.  No one was hurt.

Restaurant fire controlled with help from sprinkler system (Lancaster, PA)

The Pressroom Restaurant in Lancaster closed Thursday after a morning fire. Firefighters said the fire started at about 9 a.m. when an employee tried to dry placements in a dryer when it caught fire. The sprinkler system went off and firefighters got it under control quickly.

Sprinklers stop middle-of-night apartment fire (Portland, ME)

The sprinkler system at the Cumberland Park Place Apartments helped keep a small fire that started on the third story of the building from causing any significant damage. The Portland Fire Department was called to 457 Cumberland Ave. around 3:30 a.m. when a cigarette lit a small fire on a chair in the living room of on of Cumberland Park Place Apartment's units. Deputy Chief Robert Wassick said the sprinkler system was a primary factor in preventing the fire from becoming any larger or causing more damage.

Residential sprinkler system extinguishes late night apartment fire (Normal, IL)

A late night kitchen fire in an apartment was suppressed by a residential sprinkler activation, which allowed the occupant to escape and prevented significant damage to the building, firefighters said Wednesday.  A single sprinkler head had activated and extinguished all but a small fire under the kitchen cabinets, which was quickly extinguished with a handheld pump can. There were no injuries.

Kitchen fire extinguished thanks to fire sprinkler (Charles County, MD)

A fire that erupted overnight in a townhouse kitchen was quickly doused by the home's fire sprinkler system. Maryland State Fire Marshal William E. Barnard said, "This is yet another example of the effectiveness of automatic fire sprinklers in residential occupancies. Residential fire sprinklers save lives and property. The presence of fire sprinklers undoubtedly prevented a more tragic outcome."

Sprinkler system aids firefighters in commercial fire (Boston, MA)

A fire started in a commercial building undergoing conversion into a supermarket. A single sprinkler head activated and controlled the fire. There were a large number of workers at the property at the time, but no injuries were reported.

Sprinkler system makes the difference in nightclub fire (San Antonio, TX)

Patrons emptied out of a nightclub around 12:30 a.m. Saturday morning after firefighters say several boxes caught on fire. The blaze was quickly put out by sprinklers, firefighters said.

Fire at retirement living center extinguished by sprinkler system (Glendale, AZ)

Twenty one people were safely evacuated from a Glendale care center Thursday night when a fire broke out in a utility room. Fire officials said the fire started on the fourth floor. Sprinklers knocked the fire out.

Sprinklers extinguish fire at YWCA women's shelter (Williamsport, PA)

A disaster was averted late Wednesday night at the YWCA when a fire caused by two children playing with a lighter on the fourth floor activated the building's sprinkler system. The sprinklers put out the fire in a matter of minutes, according to city Fire Chief C. Dean Heinbach. "This could have been a real disaster had it not been for the sprinkler system," Heinbach said. About 40 temporary residents and several staff members were safely evacuated from the building.

Sprinkler system aids firefighters at nursing home garage fire (Chicago, IL)

A car in a lower-level parking garage at a nursing home caught on fire, according to Fire Media Affairs. The 9-story nursing home’s sprinkler system was activated and firefighters walked through each floor and stairwell to make sure that no one was injured, according to Fire Media. There were no reported injuries or transports to hospitals.

Kitchen fire at a pizzeria was extinguished by the sprinkler system (Glen Ellyn, IL)

A small kitchen fire at a pizzeria was extinguished by the restaurant’s sprinkler system. A restaurant manager said some rags caught on fire. Damage to the restaurant was minimal and no injuries were reported.

Sprinkler system extinguishes apartment fire (Wilmington, NC)

Fire crews responded to a kitchen fire at an apartment and found that the building’s sprinkler system had already completely extinguished the small fire with one head activation. The fire, accidental, sparked when an occupant left heated grease unattended and forgot about it. No one was injured.

Fire at the San Francisco City Hall extinguished by sprinkler system (San Francisco, CA)

A small electrical fire prompted the evacuation of San Francisco City Hall. The fire, in an electrical vault in the basement, activated the building's sprinkler system. Any fire was handled by the sprinklers, according to the Fire Department.

Sprinklers contain fire in resident's room at assisted living facility (Taylorsville, NC)

A fire broke out in a resident's room at an assisted living facility. Sprinklers contained the fire to a single room. Staff at the facility had evacuated all residents by the time emergency responders arrived on the scene. No injuries were reported.

Sprinkler system aids firefighters at super store fire (Fishers, IN)

The Super Target store in Fishers has been evacuated due to a fire. The fire activated the store's sprinkler system. Fishers Fire Department officials tell Eyewitness News the fire is out.

Fire at packaging manufacturer extinguished by sprinkler system (Columbus, WI)

A small explosion at American Packaging Corp. resulted in a fire that was extinguished by the sprinkler system. The sprinkler system contained the fire to the room where the fire started. Workers were evacuated safely from the building.

Sprinkler system controls apartment fire (Lebanon, MO)

Careless smoking is being blamed for a apartment fire in St. Charles. The fire broke out about 1:30 a.m. Sunday. Sprinklers activated and kept the fire under control until firefighters arrived. Everyone in the building was evacuated safely.

House fire extinguished by residential fire sprinkler system (Rosemont, PA)

Firefighters were called to a house fire in Rosemont when an emergency generator ignited a house fire. Lower Merion Deputy Fire Marshal said sprinklers in the home kept the fire at bay unit crews were able to arrive and extinguish it. There were no injuries.

Sprinklers makes the difference in kitchen fire at elementary school (Tulsa, OK)

Tulsa Public Schools has confirmed a kitchen fire at an elementary school. School administrators say the school was evacuated, and all students and faculty are accounted for and unharmed. The school's sprinkler system had partially extinguished the fire that started at a stove and spread to the walls.

Sprinklers credited for limiting damage in overnight strip mall fire (Shakopee, MN)

Sprinklers are being credited for limiting damage at a strip mall in after an overnight fire in Shakopee. Chief Rick Coleman says the fire may have been triggered by an explosion of some sort, but investigators continue to work the scene in search of an official cause. No one was hurt.

Fire at private school contained by sprinkler system (San Jose, CA)

A small blaze broke out overnight at a private school in San Jose. The fire was contained to a school office by the fire sprinkler system.

Sprinkler system controls university dorm fire (Fredericksburg, VA)

The University of Mary Washington dorm fire, which was confined to room 506, was caused when a coffee maker there malfunctioned, according to Deputy Chief Mike Jones of the Fredericksburg Fire Department. The fire was quickly controlled due to the activation of the fire sprinkler system. Officials safely evacuated students from Mason and Randolph halls.

Apartment complex fire contained by sprinkler system (Bolivar, MO)

An early morning fire in an apartment building was contained to one apartment thanks to the activation of an automatic sprinkler system, according to Bolivar City Fire Chief Jim Ludden.

Sprinkler system controls liquor store fire (Burnsville, MN)

A fire at a liquor store was started when the vodka bottles acted as a sort of magnifying glass. They slowly started the fire with the cardboard display, as the ceiling fan fanned the flames. Thanks to a sprinkler system and a speedy emergency response, the fire in Burnsville never got out of control.

Fire in woodworking shop controlled by sprinkler system (Calgary, AB, Canada)

Fire crews responded to reports of smoke coming from the rear of a commercial woodworking business. The building's sprinkler system slowed the spread of the blaze and crews managed to quickly knock down the rest of it. No injuries were reported.

Sprinkler system contains fire at Royal Canadian Mint (Ottawa, ON, Canada)

There are no injuries and no burned money after a fire at the Royal Canadian Mint's facility in Winnipeg. Spokesperson Christine Aquino says employees were evacuated safely and production resumed within a few hours. The Winnipeg fire department says the fire was caused by overheated electrical equipment, and was contained by the building's sprinkler system.

Hotel safely evacuated after electrical fire thanks to sprinkler system (Fort Wayne, IN)

Occupants of the Fort Wayne Marriott evacuated safely after an electrical fire broke out in a second floor room. According to Fort Wayne Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Pinkham, the fire was confined to a second floor room on the hotel's west side. Pinkham said the building's sprinkler system put the fire out, saving a large portion of the building from catching fire.

Sprinkler system contains fire at manufacturing plant (Naugatuck, CT)

The cause of a fire that broke out at a manufacturer of industrial hardware, security products and metal castings appears to have been a radiator malfunction, Fire Chief Ken Hanks said. Firefighters found that the sprinkler system had contained a small fire to the front entrance near a radiator, Hanks said. Nobody was injured.

Fire at transit center extinguished by fire sprinklers (Manitowac, WI)

A fire broke out at Manitowoc's new bus transit center Sunday afternoon. When firefighters arrived, two fire sprinkler heads were actively spraying water over a fire just outside the building's main entrance. Fire Chief Bill Manis said the blaze shows the importance of installing fire sprinkler systems.

Sprinkler system contains factory machine fire (La Crosse, WI)

The La Crosse Fire Department is investigating the cause of a fire at a factory overnight. Firefighters say they arrived to find one of the machines on fire inside the factory. The sprinkler system above the machine went off, assisting the fire department in containing the fire to the area. No injuries were reported.

Sprinklers extinguish early morning bar fire (Wilkes-Barre, PA)

A fire that erupted early this morning at a themed Bar was the result of varnish rags that caught fire amid a reconstruction project, fire officials said. Most of the fire had already been extinguished by the time fire crews responded, said city Fire Chief Jay Delaney. "Very fortunately, they have a good fire alarm system and a sprinkler system in place that prevented a lot of damage," Delaney said  

Blog editor's note: A fire alarm system does not trigger a sprinkler, but only rather the substantial heat from a fire.

Sprinkler system extinguishes fire in fourth floor high rise apartment (Houston, TX)

Investigators believe Christmas decorations started a fire in a high rise in downtown Houston. Firefighters with the Houston Fire Department said they spotted smoke coming from the fourth floor of Houston Center, but the building’s fire sprinklers had already put out the flames. No injuries were reported.

A fire at the University of Arizona was contained by sprinkler system (Tucson, AZ)

Firefighters in Tucson have extinguished a fire that broke out in an equipment room at the University of Arizona's McKale Center. They found flames inside that were being held in check by a fire sprinkler and were able to put out the fire. No injuries were reported.

Sprinklers put out fire in high school art room (Independence, OR)

A kiln in an art room at Central High School caught fire. The fire was put out by sprinklers by the time fire personnel arrived.

Fire in a public housing apartment contained by sprinkler system (Jackson, TN)

An efficient sprinkler system was quick to put out a small mattress fire in one of the rooms of a public housing apartment building. “The sprinkler system saved the day,” Deputy Chief David Dillingham, of the Jackson Fire Department, said. Residents were allowed to go back to their rooms once the fire was contained and firefighters finished their inspection, about three hours later. “It’s imperative that a system comes on and puts a fire out,” he said. “With as many people on each floor of the building, without a sprinkler system, this could have been a major fire."

Sprinkler system extinguishes fire in high school locker room (Las Vegas, NV)

Firefighters found an activated automatic fire sprinkler in the boy’s locker room, but found no fire. It was determined that a towel caught fire in the locker room which activated the sprinkler system. The activation set off the alarm system which evacuated the school. There were no reported injuries.

Fire in high school classroom contained by sprinkler system (Trussville, AL)

Firefighters responded to a third-floor fire in a high school science classroom, fire officials said. A single sprinkler head, Fire Chief Russell Ledbetter said, contained the fire to the classroom. "The sprinkler worked exactly like it was supposed to," Russell said.

Sprinkler system credited with putting out fire in community center (Yuma, AZ)

A small fire at a community center was put out quickly by a sprinkler system before it could cause any damage, according to the Yuma Fire Department. “It points out the value of sprinkler systems,” Spokesman Mike Erfert said. “It makes a huge difference as far as the damage goes.”

Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at fire station (Longview, TX)

According to Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary, a heater in the engine bay where fire trucks are parked caught fire around structural members of the ceiling. The structure's sprinkler system immediately extinguished the fire, set off the alarm and alerted firefighters who were in Station No. 6's living area.