April 2020
BELLEVILLE, IL (April 27, 2020) – A single fire sprinkler extinguished a fire at Integrity Healthcare of Belleville, April 27. The Belleville Fire Department responded to a call of a smoldering smell in the laundry room at 9:01 p.m. Upon arrival, fire crews found that a fire sprinkler activated above a laundry cart. The facility provides skilled nursing services for individuals diagnosed with mental illness disorders.
According to Assist. Chief J. P. Penet, Belleville Fire Department, the cause of the fire was determined to be from freshly laundered kitchen towels and mops that contained residual natural cooking oils. The heat from the dryer of the bundled towels and mops accelerated the breakdown of the oils causing a spontaneous ignition of the towels.
Ahern Fire Protection of St. Louis, Missouri was called by the facility to put the fire sprinkler system back in service.
There were no reported injuries, as the facility staff acted quickly to evacuate personnel and residents in the affected wing, and relocate others to adjacent wings, behind self-closing fire doors.
Source: Assist. Chief J. P. Penet, Belleville Fire Department