Sprinkler system extinguishes fire in lower parking garage of high-rise building (Chicago, IL)

** NO MEDIA COVERAGE - FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED **

Early this morning, the Chicago Fire Department reported that a fire sprinkler system in the Franklin Center commercial high-rise at 227 W. Monroe extinguished a fire that was caused by an automobile in a lower level parking garage. 

“Too often we hear about the unsprinklered fires that cause major damage and injuries or deaths, but it’s even more important to highlight when larger fires are prevented thanks to the quick response of fire sprinklers,” says Tom Lia, executive director of the nonprofit Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board. “Today, a fire sprinkler system extinguished a car fire and prevented any harm to humans. That is why fire sprinklers are in the national model codes. They are vital to life and property protection in high-rises and all other occupancies as well."

Hotel room cooking fire extinguished by fire sprinkler system (Chesapeake, VA)

No injuries were reported after a fire damaged a hotel room at the Extended Stay America.  Chesapeake firefighters were called to the scene about 7:45 p.m. and found heavy smoke coming from the second floor of the hotel, according to a news release.  The automatic fire sprinkler system inside the building was able to extinguish the room fire, the news release said. The cause of the fire appeared to be unattended cooking.

Fire sprinkler system puts out nursing home fire (Oklahoma City, OK)

The fire began about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in the office area at an Oklahoma City nursing home.  Staff members helped residents get out of the building, and the sprinkler system put out the fire, said Maj. Tammy McKinney, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma City Fire Department. 

Apartment fire extinguished by fire sprinkler system (Sneads Ferry, NC)

Nearly 30 people were displaced after a small fire set off water sprinklers at a apartment complex.  The fire started at approximately 6:30 p.m. Monday in the kitchen area of one of the apartment units but was immediately contained and put out. The fire was minor, and no injuries were reported.  The fire's investigation is closed, and it was ruled an accident.

Sprinkler system controls dorm fire at University of Illinois (Champaign, IL)

A dorm on the University of Illinois campus caught fire on Sunday night.  Firefighters responded to a report of smoke and flames coming from a room, on the 6th floor of Sherman Hall. The occupant of room 655 directed firefighters to the room with heavy smoke and fire. A sprinkler system in the room helped to control the flames.  Crews worked quickly to put out the fire and evacuate the 13-story north wing of the building. No injuries were reported.  The cause of the fire was electrical.

Fire sprinkler system contains fire at bowling alley (Shrewsbury, MA)

A small fire started this morning in a storage closet at AMF Town & Country Lanes. The building's sprinkler system contained the flames to that area, said Shrewsbury Fire Captain Seth Colby.  The fire started when no one was in the building and was accidental, but the exact cause is under investigation, Shrewsbury Fire Captain Seth Colby said.

Sprinkler helps to control arson fire at popular retail & entertainment venue (Las Vegas, NV)

A man was arrested and charged with first degree arson after allegedly setting fire to the loading dock, recycle area that services Neonopolis on the Fremont Street Experience Thursday morning. Fire dispatchers received the call at 3:09 a.m. Thursday that trash and a dumpster was on fire at the loading dock area for Neonopolis, which is a shopping mall and entertainment complex in Las Vegas, located on top of a $15 million city parking garage. After the fire started, a fire sprinkler activated and kept the fire under control until firefighters arrived on scene and put the fire completely out.  Damage was confined to the dumpster area.

Sprinkler puts out fire at apartments that burned in 2007 (Madison, WI)

Six years after a blaze destroyed a Madison apartment building, officials say the sprinkler system at a new building on the same site prevented serious damage from a weekend fire.  The fire started Saturday when a discarded cigarette ignited a Christmas tree on a balcony, authorities said.  By the time firefighters arrived, however, an automatic sprinkler had already extinguished the fire, leaving the building with only cosmetic damage, officials said.  That’s a far cry from July of 2007, when a fire started by a cigarette butt caused $3.5 million in damage, according to State Journal archives.

“This is a perfect example of how fire sprinkler systems limit damage and most importantly, save lives,” Madison Fire Department spokeswoman Bernadette Galvez said in a statement.

Sprinklers keep fire from spreading at waste and recycling facility (Calgary, AB)

A fire that began in a pile of rubble in a waste and recycling facility brought fire crews at about 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 20. The building's fire sprinkler had activated, which contained the fire to it's source. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Apartment cooking fire eliminated by sprinkler system (Springfield, MO)

A cooking fire erupted in an apartment unit around 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 20. The smoke alarm went off, alerting the residents, and the sprinkler activated, extinguishing the fire. 

Fire Chief David Hall said of the fire, "It's one of those that would have been a serious fire had it not had a fire sprinkler in it - and a working smoke alarm."

Sprinklers assist firefighters in apartment fire (San Luis Obispo, CA)

A fire which broke out in an apartment at around 3:40 a.m. on Monday, January 20, filled an apartment with smoke and activated the unit's fire sprinkler system. Firefighters were able to eliminate the fire by 4:00 a.m.

"Without the sprinkler system, the fire could have gotten a lot bigger," said acting Battalion Chief Mike King.

Kitchen fire extinguished by single fire sprinkler (Arapahoe County, CO)

When firefighters responded to a home fire on January 13, the fire had already been eradicated by a single fire sprinkler. The fire began when a pot of cooking oil started on fire, which spread up the stove and cupboards. 

"There were no injuries, little fire damage, and the sprinkler system was quickly put back into service," said fire investigator Mike Kadel. "Fire sprinklers have an impressive ability to limit property damage and keep our residents and fire fighters safe."

Sprinklers contain fire at restaurant (Gainesville, GA)

Gainesville firefighters responded to a fire at a restaurant a little before 6 a.m. on Friday, January 17. The fire crews broke into the building and found that four sprinkler heads had activated and kept the fire in check. After the crews put out the remaining flames, Fire Marshal Chad Payne reported that a faulty condensation line pump on a refrigeration unit had started the fire. There were no injuries reported.

Fire sprinkler keeps fire from spreading at night club (Salisbury, NC)

Salisbury's night club, Nashville Nights, had a trash can fire occur on Saturday evening, and firefighters were alerted to the scene. The building's fire sprinkler activated and suppressed the fire.

Salisbury Fire Chief Bob Parnell said, "Had this building not been sprinklered, then it is very probable that a serious fire would result and consume one or more downtown buildings."

No injuries were reported, and the night club was slated to open in a few days.

Sprinklers save high school from damage (Jackson, TN)

When a fire broke out in a high school gym on January 16 during basketball practice, the school's fire sprinkler system put out the flames within 20 minutes. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the school had plans to resume classes the following day.