Winter 2026 Sprinkler Saves. You can submit stories here and view other saves here.
Fire Sprinklers Extinguish Apartment Unit Fire
January 31, 2026
GIBSON CITY, IL – Fire sprinklers extinguished a fire at the Schoolhouse Apartments in one of the units, 32-unit apartment building. This same building had a save in an arson fire about 30 days ago. Upon arrival, fire crews found the unit with moderate smoke and a small fire had been extinguished by the sprinklers. One resident was assisted out of the unit for treatment. The fire department was not aware of this person being transported from the scene.
Source: wcia.com/news
Fire Sprinklers Control Restaurant Kitchen Fire
January 28, 2026
PLAINFIELD, IL – Fire sprinklers controlled a kitchen fire at the Hop Scotch & Vine Restaurant. Fire crews encountered heavy smoke and an active kitchen fire. Fire sprinklers stopped the fire from spreading. “All indications show the sprinkler system played a critical role in stopping this fire from spreading beyond the kitchen,” said Deputy Fire Chief Mark Reynolds. “Because the system activated as designed, firefighters were able to gain control quickly and prevent a much larger and more dangerous incident.” All occupants of the restaurant and neighboring businesses were safety evacuated. No injuries were reported.
Fire Sprinklers Control a Machine Fire at Packaging Company
January 15, 2026
NEW LENOX, IL – Fire sprinklers controlled a baling machine fire at Smurfit Westrock paper/packaging company. Fire crews arrived to find a baling machine on fire in an isolated room, with smoke conditions throughout the building. Firefighters extinguished the remaining fire. No injuries were reported.
Fire Sprinkler Controls Restaurant Kitchen Fire
January 11, 2026
O’FALLON, IL – A fire sprinkler controlled a kitchen fire at a Texas Roadhouse restaurant. An O’Fallon patrol officer reported smoke and flames coming from the roof. Fire crews entered the kitchen and discovered a fryer on fire caused by an exposed electrical outlet behind the fryer. A fire extinguisher was used to extinguish the remaining fire. The hood suppression system failed to activate because of a corroded linkage. The hood system was scheduled for routine inspection. The fire was contained to the area of origin, and the business reopened the next day. No injuries were reported.
Source: Brad White, Fire Chief, O’Fallon Fire Department
Single Fire Sprinkler Extinguishes Office Building Fire
January 9, 2026
SKOKIE, IL – A single fire sprinkler extinguished a fire at an unoccupied 3-story building under construction. The fire was caused by oily rags. The Skokie Fire Department reported that fire sprinklers and a quick-fire alarm response minimized building damage. The construction project remains on schedule. No injuries were reported.
Source: Skokie Fire Department
Single Fire Sprinkler Extinguishes Condo Dumpster Fire
January 7, 2026
ROLLING MEADOWS, IL – A single fire sprinkler extinguished a dumpster fire in the basement of a four-story condominium building. When crews arrived, there was no smoke or flames visible from the exterior of the building. Firefighters located a dumpster in the basement where a single fire sprinkler directly above the dumpster extinguished the fire. According to the Rolling Meadows Fire Department the incident is a powerful reminder of how automatic fire sprinkler systems save lives, limit fire spread, and significantly reduce property damage. Without fire sprinklers, the outcome could have been catastrophic.
Fire Sprinklers Control Amazon Warehouse Fire
January 5, 2026
JOLIET, IL – Fire sprinklers controlled a fire in the storage racks of an Amazon Warehouse. When crews from the Joliet Fire Department arrived, the warehouse was filled with smoke. The fire was deep inside the warehouse and beyond reach of the initial attack lines. Fire sprinklers kept the fire in check while firefighters worked around the storage racks to extinguish the remaining fire. One firefighter was transported to the hospital with a shoulder injury.
Source: Patch.com
Single Fire Sprinkler Controls Fitness Center Fire
January 4, 2026
COUNTRYSIDE, IL – A single fire sprinkler controlled a fire on the second-floor mezzanine of the L.A. Fitness Center. Fire crews encountered smoke on the second floor and used a pressurized water can to extinguish the remaining fire. No injuries were report. This sprinkler save was added to the Pleasantview Fire Protection District’s Sprinkler Save Tree.
Source: Art Peters, Fire Marshal, Pleasantview Fire Protection District
Fire Sprinkler Controls Fraternity House Refrigerator Fire
January 2, 2026
CHAMPAIGN, IL A single fire sprinkler kept a fire from spreading in a second-floor room of a fraternity house. According to Champaign Deputy Fire Marshal Jeremy Mitchell, a compressor on a dorm style refrigerator failed causing a fire in the refrigerator and nearby contents. No injuries were reported.
Source:Champaign Deputy Fire Marshal Jeremy Mitchell
