Winter 2026 Sprinkler Saves. You can submit stories here and view other saves here.
Fire Sprinkler Extinguishes Candle Fire at U of I Student Apartment
March 28, 2026
CHAMPAIGN, IL – A single fire sprinkler extinguished bedding that was ignited by a candle in a student apartment. The fire, located on the third floor, was extinguished before fire crews arrived. “This is a newer apartment building on campus that replaced one that wasn’t protected by sprinklers, so this could have been a very different outcome,” said Deputy Fire Marshal Jeremy Mitchell.
Source: Jeremy Mitchell, Deputy Fire Marshal, Champaign Fire Department
Fire Sprinklers Control Restaurant Grill Fire
March 20, 2026
PEORIA, IL – Fire sprinklers controlled a fire that started on the grill at Rhythm Kitchen Restaurant. Employees used a fire extinguisher to put out the remaining fire before fire crews arrived. The fire was contained to the griddle and surrounding vent system. The restaurant was open at the time of the fire. All employees evacuated safety. No injuries were reported.
Fire Sprinklers Control Grease Fire at Local Restaurant
March 12, 2026
GLENDALE HEIGHTS, IL – Fire Sprinklers controlled a grease fire at a restaurant located in a strip mall. Firefighters arrived to find fire coming from a rooftop exhaust fan. A grease fire started under a commercial kitchen range hood. The fire sprinklers contained the fire to the point of origin. “We are thankful that the sprinklers did their job protecting both life and property,” said Fire Marshal Michael Gross, Bloomingdale Fire Protection District No. 1. “The damage from the fire was limited to a small area due to the presence of sprinklers.”
Source: Michael Gross, Fire Marshal, Bloomingdale Fire Protection District No. 1
Fire Sprinkler Extinguishes Apartment Dryer Fire
February 27, 2026
CHICAGO RIDGE, IL – A single fire sprinkler extinguished a dryer fire on the 2nd floor of a multi-family apartment building. Firefighters arrived to find smoke from the second floor. A firefighter was prepared to use a pump can when the sprinkler above the dryer activated. Fire Chief Bob Smart said, “The sprinkler system worked as installed.” No injuries were reported.
Source: Robert Smart, Fire Chief, Chicago Ridge Fire Department
Fire Sprinklers Control Dryer Fire at Marriott Hotel
February 21, 2026
NORMAL, IL – Fire sprinklers controlled a fire in the guest laundry room at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. The fire originated in a dryer. Firefighters arrived and extinguished the remaining flames. Hotel guests were allowed to return to their rooms. No injuries were reported.
Source: Normal Fire Department (Normal, Il)’s Post – Facebook
Fire Sprinklers Control Grease Fryer Fire at McDonald’s
February 15, 2026
PEORIA, IL – Fire sprinklers controlled a grease fire at a McDonald’s restaurant. Firefighters arrived to find a deep fryer fire being held in check by the sprinklers. The fire was contained to the fryer and surrounding vent system. Fire crews used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the remaining fire. The restaurant was open at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported. The McDonald’s will remain closed until repairs are completed and the health department conducts an inspection.
Source: 25newsnow.com
Fire Sprinklers Control Townhome Garage Fire
February 12, 202
GENEVA, IL – Fire sprinklers controlled a fire in a two-car attached garage of a two-story, multi-unit townhome building. Firefighters arrived to find light smoke from the garage. All residents evacuated before fire crews arrived. No injuries were reported. The townhome remained habitable.
Source: Patch.com/Illinois/geneva
Fire Sprinklers Control Equipment Fire at Suncast Corporation
February 7, 2026
BATAVIA, IL – Fire sprinklers contained an equipment fire inside a powder coat booth at a manufacturing facility. Employees tried to extinguish the fire using fire extinguishers before evacuating. Firefighters extinguished the remaining fire and checked the building to ensure the fire didn’t spread. The building remained in use after the incident. No injuries were reported.
Fire Sprinklers Control Apartment Complex Garage Fire
February 5, 2026
CRYSTAL LAKE, IL – Fire sprinklers contained a fire in a garage at a 6-unit, 2-story multifamily apartment complex. Upon arrival, fire crews located an active fire alarm and observed smoke coming from the garage. Crews noted a small fire that was being held in check by an operating residential sprinkler. Firefighters quickly extinguished the remaining fire. No residents or firefighters were injured. All residents were able to return to their units. No residents were displaced. Battalion Chief Brian Tamason with the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department said the incident serves as a powerful example of the life-saving importance of fire sprinkler systems.
Source: lakemchenryscanner.com
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
