Winter 2024 Sprinkler Saves. You can submit stories here and view other saves here.
Fire Sprinklers Control Grocery Store Fire
March 31, 2024
CANTON, IL – Fire sprinklers stopped a fire from spreading in an upstairs storage room of the Hy-Vee Grocery store. Firefighters arrived to find smoke and flames showing in the storage room. The fire department extinguished the fire within 12 minutes. All customers and employees were evacuated safely. No injuries were reported.
Source: WGIL.com and City of Canton Fire Department Facebook Post
Fire Sprinklers Extinguish Restaurant Fire While Hundreds Safely Evacuate
March 31, 2024
LIBERTYVILLE, IL – Fire sprinklers extinguised a fire caused by a faulty propane tank at a buffet table in a restaurant serving Easter brunch. More than 500 people were in the restaurant at the time of the fire. Witnesses said the fire looked like a flamethrower with flames shooting toward the ceiling from the buffet table.
While sprinklers controlled the fire, staff safety helped evacuate the customers. Staff also used fire extinguishers. The fire was extinguished when firefighters arrived. One person was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and three were treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics on scene.
The restaurant is expected to open for business in about a week.
Source: NBCChicago.com and DailyHerald.com
Fire Sprinkler Extinguishes Industrial Building Fire
March 21, 2024
WHEELING, IL – A single sprinkler extinguished a fire in an industrial building that was caused by an overheated stripping machine that shorted out the electricity and ignited a splash curtain.
A recent fire inspection noted the canopy of the stripping machine was blocking the building’s sprinklers and an additional sprinkler under the canopy was required. The owner complied.
According to a press release from the Wheeling Fire Department, the added sprinkler coverage under the canopy put the fire out. The loss of the contents of the building could have been catastrophic for the business, if there were not a working fire sprinkler system in place.
No injuries were report.
Source: Journal-topics.com
Fire Sprinkler Controls Fire at World-Renowned Country Club
March 7, 2024
MEDINAH, IL – A fire sprinkler controlled a fire in a maintenance shed at Medinah Country Club. The facility is recognized for hosting numerous Major Championships for the PGA and Ryder Cup. No injuries were reported.
Source: Tri-State Fire Alerts Facebook Post
Fire Sprinkler Controls Fire in Industrial Building
March 7, 2024
BENSENVILLE, IL – A single sprinkler controlled a fire in a commercial industrial building. When crews arrived, they smelled smoke and located the fire. A fire sprinkler activated keeping the fire in check until crews extinguished it. No injuries were reported.
Source: Bensenville Professional Firefighters Association, Local 2868 Facebook Post
Fire Sprinkler Controls Fire Near Loading Dock
March 6, 2024
AURORA, IL – A fire sprinkler controlled a fire in a store loading dock area. An employee called the Aurora Fire Department and reported smoke in the store. Crews arrived to find a sprinkler controlling a fire in the back of the store near the loading dock. Crews extinguished the remaining fire with a hand-pump. No injuries were reported.
Source: Wspynews.com
Single Fire Sprinkler Extinguishes Apartment Stovetop Fire
March 4, 2024
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL – A single fire sprinkler extinguished a stovetop fire in a third-floor unit of the Landmeier Station Apartments. According to the Elk Grove Village Fire Department, when crews arrived there was no visible signs of smoke or fire. They discovered moderate water from a unit and found a sprinkler fully extinguished a stovetop fire. All occupants safely evacuated the building.
According to the Elk Grove Village Fire Department, fire sprinklers played a crucial role in preventing a potential total loss of the building and its contents. Since the fire was contained to a single unit, only the occupant(s) of that unit were displaced, leaving 79 of the buildings 80 units unaffected. No injuries were reported.
Source: Jason Staidle, Fire Marshal, Elk Grove Village Fire Department
Fire Sprinkler Controls a Dumpster Fire in a Residential High-Rise
February 28, 2024
PALATINE, IL – A single sprinkler controlled a fire in a dumpster located in the garbage room of a 14-story condominium building. When crews from the Palatine Fire Department arrived, there was an audible sprinkler bell sounding. They found a dumpster fire in in check by a single sprinkler. The dumpster was safely wheeled out of the building where it was fully extinguished.
“The combination of fire sprinklers and fire separation kept the fire contained to the garbage dumpster, said Fire Marshal Jay Atherton, Palatine Fire Department. “This resulted in no loss from smoke and fire and no residents were displaced.”
Source: Jay Atherton, Fire Marshal, Palatine Fire Prevention
Fire Sprinklers Control Electrical Equipment Fire at Binny’s Liquor Store
February 25, 2024
ELMWOOD PARK, IL – Two fire sprinklers controlled an electrical equipment fire at Binny’s Liquor Store. An Elmwood Park fire truck arrived on the scene, while other emergency responders were delayed by a train. Firefighters found smoke coming from the storefront and the side of the building. Investigators determined the source of the fire was a computer cart that overheated while charging near the overhead receiving door in the back room.
“It was just an unfortunate accident but the positive part of it was that they had an automatic fire system,” said Kevin Flaherty, deputy fire chief, Elmwood Park Fire Department. “We got early notification and they had a sprinkler system. Two sprinkler heads, for the most part, contained and partially extinguished that fire.”
No injuries were report. The store remains closed for safety and security purposes and is expected to open near Memorial Day.
Source: ChicagoTribune.com
Fire Sprinkler Extinguishes Apartment Arson Fire
February 21, 2024
MOLINE, IL – A fire sprinkler extinguished a couch fire in a 69-unit apartment complex. According to the Moline Fire Department, the fire was contained to the area of origin and extinguished by the sprinkler system before the fire department arrived. The fire was intentionally set with paper towels lit on top of a stove and the couch was set on fire. A suspect was arrested shortly after the fire. No injuries were reported.
Fire Sprinkler Extinguishes Fire at Senior Living Facility
February 12, 2024
TINLEY PARK, IL – A fire sprinkler extinguished a living room fire in a first-floor unit of the Hanover Place Senior Living facility before firefighters arrived. The fire was located at the base of a couch in the living room. The fire was contained to that area with the help of a sidewall fire sprinkler. Staff and residents safely evacuated the building. They were quickly cleared and allowed to return. One resident was slightly injured and was transported to a nearby hospital.
“Kudos to the sprinkler system for saving, obviously, the room plus many, many other lives that could have been in danger,” Tinley Park Fire Chief Steve Klotz said.
Source: NBCChicago.com and Steve Lorendo, Fire Marshal, Tinley Park Fire Department
Fire Sprinkler Extinguishes Bedroom Apartment Fire
February 7, 2024
OTTAWA, IL – A fire sprinkler extinguished a bedroom fire in a second-floor apartment unit. Crews arrived to find the fire sprinkler extinguished the fire. The origin of the fire was bedding material ignited by a candle.
The resident sustained minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital.
The Ottawa Fire department stated, “the importance of the sprinkler system in preventing a more severe incident cannot be overstated. It unquestionably prevented a potential tragedy, ensuring the safety of both the apartment and its occupant.”
Source: Ottawa Fire Department Facebook Post with Press Release
Fire Sprinklers Control Mechanical Room Fire at Drury Lane Theatre
January 16, 2024
OAKBROOK TERRACE, IL – A fire sprinkler kept a fire from spreading in a mechanical room at the Drury Lane Theatre. Firefighters entered the building and found heavy smoke coming from the mechanical room on the second floor. All employees evacuated safely from the theatre and no injuries were reported. The theatre was open the next day.
Source: WGNTV.com and Patch.com/Illinois/oak-brook
Single Fire Sprinkler Extinguishes Oily Rag Fire at Restaurant
January 9, 2024
LAKE ZURICH, IL – A single fire sprinkler extinguished a fire in a container filled with oily cleaning rags in a restaurant break room. Fire crews arrived to find a large plastic container with the rags on top of an unopened box of paper towels. The fire was extinguished.
According to Deputy Fire Marshal, John Wiecek, Lake Zurich Fire Department, the rags smoldered during the night until they ignited. The restaurant was closed and no one was in the building. The restaurant opened for business two days after the incident.
“The sprinkler activation saved this restaurant from becoming fully involved,” Wiecek said.
Source: John Wiecek, Deputy Fire Marshal, Lake Zurich Fire Department
Fire Sprinkler Extinguishes Apartment Cooking Fire
January 1, 2024
PEORIA, IL – A fire sprinkler extinguished a kitchen fire at the Providence Pointe Apartments. When crews arrived, they found smoke coming from a unit on the first floor of a two-story, eight-unit building. The fire was caused by unattended cooking. No injuries were reported.
Source: CentralIllinoisProud.com