NOVEMBER 2019
Successful sprinkler activation extinguishes apartment fire
SPRINGFIELD, IL (November 24, 2019) – A minor fire broke out in a third-floor unit of the Spring Meadows Apartments on Butler Street. Crews responded to the incident just after 6:30 p.m.
Springfield Fire Department Battalion Chief Darbin Calvert said the building’s sprinkler system extinguished the fire, though it did cause water damage in two other units on the first and second floors as well as in the unit where the fire started. Calvert added that crews shut off the water quickly and went into “salvage operation”.
The cause of the fire is not yet known and is under investigation.
Source: The State Journal-Register
Successful sprinkler activation extinguishes accidental fire
PEORIA, IL (November 23, 2019) – An accidental fire at Woodsage Apartments activated the fire sprinkler system, causing heavy water damage to three apartment units. Firefighters responded to the incident around 6 p.m. and found the sprinkler system had already extinguished the fire.
The fire was started by an occupant in unit 303 cooking on the stove and extended to the microwave and cabinets. Two apartments below unit 303 were also affected by water damage due to the sprinkler system. No injuries were reported.
Source: Central Illinois Proud
Fire Sprinkler Extinguishes Furnace Fire in LaGrange Park Nursing Home
LAGRANGE PARK, IL (November 21, 2019) – A fire sprinkler extinguished a furnace fire in a nursing care and rehabilitation facility with more than 100 occupants. When the LaGrange Park Fire Department arrived, they found a furnace in a sub-basement mechanical room malfunctioned. Flames from the burner area burned some of the insulation below the ductwork. A single fire sprinkler activated, limiting the flame and heat damage to the immediate area.
According to a press released issued by the LaGrange Park Fire Department, water damage was minimal. The fire department assisted the facility staff with clean up, keeping the water in the mechanical room where the incident occurred. No one was injured and no one was evacuated,
Source: Fire Chief Dean Maggos, LaGrange Park Fire Department Press Release
Fire Sprinkler Extinguishes Fire in Downtown Aurora Apartment
AURORA, IL (November 17, 2019) – Aurora firefighters responded to a fire alarm in an apartment building around 1:30 a.m. on the 1200 block of East Downer Place. Firefighters saw smoke on the upper floors and located the source. A single fire sprinkler extinguished a fire in the living room area of a second floor apartment.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the resident living in the apartment was displaced and assisted by victim services to find temporary housing.
Source: Aurora Beacon News/Chicago Tribune
Fire Sprinkler Controls Fire In Fifth Floor Apartment
WHEATON, IL (November 6, 2019) – A fire sprinkler controlled a fire in a fifth floor apartment building in Wheaton. Fire officials believe a faulty dryer may have caused the fire. The incident took place around 9 p.m. in the 100 block of North Cross, according to a press release.
When fire crews got to the scene, they say the unit’s fire sprinkler system brought the blaze under control. No other units were affected and no injuries were reported, fire officials say.
Source: Wheaton-Patch
OCTOBER 2019
Fire Sprinkler Extinguishes Apartment Kitchen Fire
CHAMPAIGN, IL (October 18, 2019) – A fire sprinkler controlled and extinguished a stovetop fire in an apartment in the 2000 block of West White Street. The Champaign Fire Department responded to the call at 2:25 a.m. on October 18. Department spokesperson Randy Smith said the flames were contained to the kitchen. The cause of the fire was accidental from cooking.
There were no injuries.
Source: The News Gazette
Fire Sprinklers Contain Fire In Large Warehouse
ELGIN, IL (October 15, 2019) – A fire sprinkler system contained a fire at Marble Works in South Elgin, a 15,000 square foot manufacturing plant and warehouse.
According to a news release from South Elgin Fire District, first arriving fire crews were met by two employees outside the building who reported a large fire inside the plant. Fire sprinklers contained the fire to an area at the center of the warehouse until fire crews extinguished the fire.
The district’s Haz-Mat team determined that there were no hazardous chemicals involved in the fire. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries,
Source: South Elgin Fire District
Fire Sprinkler Contains High Rise Fire In West Loop Starbucks
CHICAGO, IL (October 10, 2019) – No one was injured after fire sprinklers contained a fire at a West Loop Starbucks in the lobby of a high-rise building, according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford. The fire broke out at 150 N. Riverside Plaza along the Chicago River on October 10 at 12:20 p.m.
“The fire was contained to the Starbucks, and it looks like everything is under control,” said Langford. He said the sprinkler system engaged and the fire was put out within the hour.
A preliminary investigation indicates that the fire may have started in the brewing machine or dishwasher, Langford said.
Source: Chicago Sun Times
Fire Sprinklers Stop A Fire At Landmark Godfather’s Pizza
PEKIN, IL (October 7, 2019) – A fire sprinkler contained a fire that started in a closet at Godfather’s Pizza. According to Pekin Fire Chief Kurt Nelson, the sprinkler stopped the fire from spreading. Firefighters responded to the call at 2111 Court Street in the early morning of October 7.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
According to a post on the Godfather’s Pizza Facebook page, the company said it’s a landmark location and one of the oldest Godfather’s in the country.
Source: 25 News – Week.com
SEPTEMBER 2019
Fire Sprinkler Stops Fire From Spreading in St. Charles Restaurant
St. Charles, IL (September 20, 2019) – Fire crews responded to a fire alarm at the Eden on the River restaurant on 1 Illinois Street in St. Charles. Upon arrival firefighters found a fire sprinkler extinguished a grease fire. Patrons and employees were evacuated. There were no injuries.
According to the fire department press release, the cause of the fire is listed as accidental due to cooking and the estimated fire loss is $1,000.
The Geneva, Batavia, West Chicago and South Elgin Fire Departments assisted the St. Charles Fire Department.
Source: St. Charles Fire Department News Release
Park Ridge Pointe Structure Saved by a Single Fire Sprinkler
PARK RIDGE, IL (September 6, 2019) – A single fire sprinkler activated in the bathroom of a second-floor condominium in Park Ridge, extinguishing a fire and saving the structure. Park Ridge fire crews responded to an alarm at the Park Ridge Pointe subdivision on Pavilion Way at 11:33 p.m. on September 6.
“The fire sprinkler system had activated (only one sprinkler head) and had prevented the fire from spreading throughout the structure. Most importantly, no residents or fire personnel were injured,” said Park Ridge Fire Chief Jeff Sorensen.
“The successful activation of the fire sprinkler system limited the damage to the structure and its contents,” he added.
“While the fire sprinklers are designed with fire safety in mind, they typically use a fraction of the water that fire hoses do in order to contain a fire, thus protecting property as well. Since 2001, fire sprinklers have been a requirement in all new construction in Park Ridge, including single-family homes,” Sorensen said.
Source: Journal & Topics
Single Fire Sprinkler Saves Life of Elderly Resident
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL – A single fire sprinkler saved the life of an elderly resident in a third floor apartment of the Arlington Heights Senior Living complex. The fire was caused by a wall heating unit and did not extend beyond the room of origin. Smoke was also reduced by the effectiveness of the sprinkler.
“The sprinkler system saved the occupant’s life, extinguished the fire and kept the living facility operational. The fire department’s operations were tremendously aided by the quick response and effectiveness of one sprinkler. Almost all the residents were able to return to their apartments,” said Division Chief Dwayne Wood, Arlington Heights Fire Department.
Source: Division Chief Dwayne Wood, Arlington Heights Fire Department