Fire Sprinkler Saves (Spring 2026 Edition)

June 25, 2026
SHOREWOOD, IL – Fire sprinklers controlled a fire in the toy aisle at a Walmart Superstore. When firefighters arrived, they found flames and smoke. Fire sprinklers successfully contained the fire, preventing it from spreading throughout the store. No injuries were reported.

Source: Patch.com & WJOL.com

June 22, 2026
ROCKFORD, IL – Two fire sprinklers controlled a fire at J & M Plating. Firefighters arrived to find flames burning inside an exhaust stack above a heat-treating machine. Fire sprinklers contained the fire, preventing it from spreading throughout the building. Crews attacked the fire from both the ground and the roof before bringing it under control. No injuries were reported.

Source: WIFR.com

June 18, 2026
ROLLING MEADOWS, IL – Fire sprinklers controlled a fire on the 8th floor of a high-rise office building. Upon arrival, fire crews discovered light smoke coming from a kitchenette in the office space. The fire may have originated from a toaster oven. Crews confirmed that two fire sprinklers extinguished the fire. The Rolling Meadows Fire Department reminds residents and businesses to unplug appliances when they are not in use and make sure appliances that produce heat are clear of flammable materials. Fire sprinklers save lives and property by controlling fires before they can spread. Thank you, Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board, for your continued advocacy and education on the importance of fire sprinkler systems.

Source: City of Rolling Meadows’s Post (Facebook)

June 10, 2026
CHAMPAIGN, IL – Two fire sprinklers contained a fire on the first floor of a restaurant located in a nine-story mixed-use property in downtown Champaign. The building includes office and retail space, and 51 condominiums on the upper floors. This was the second fire at this location in just two weeks. “This is an important win for fire sprinklers because the suppression system for the cooking area was impaired and failed to operate,” said Jeremy Mitchell, Deputy Fire Marshal with the Champaign Fire Department. No injuries were reported.

Source: Jeremy Mitchell, Deputy Fire Marshal, Champaign Fire Department

June 3, 2026
LIBERTYVILLE, IL – A single fire sprinkler extinguished a fire in Milwalky Taco, a restaurant located in downtown Libertyville. When firefighters arrived, they confirmed the fire was extinguished, secured the sprinkler system, performed initial water cleanup, and notified the business owner. The fire occurred after hours, no one was inside the restaurant at the time of the fire. Because of the rapid activation of both the fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems, fire damage was a minimal, and the restaurant was able to open less that 24 hours after the incident. According to Lt. Michael Weaver, Libertyville Fire Department, the sprinkler activation protected far more than a single business. The restaurant is in downtown Libertyville, where buildings are closely connected and apartments are located above commercial occupancies. Had the fire grown unchecked, it could have threatened neighboring businesses, displaced residents, and caused significant economic loss to our downtown district. “This incident is a powerful reminder that fire sprinklers save lives, protect property, and preserve businesses. One sprinkler controlled the fire, limited damage, and helped keep our downtown community open and thriving,” Weaver said.

Source: Lt. Michael Weaver, Director of Fire Prevention, Libertyville Fire Department

June 3, 2026
DEKALB, IL – Fire sprinklers controlled a fire on the second-floor in a high-voltage electrical panel at the Nehring Electrical Works industrial manufacturing facility. Firefighters used dry chemical agent to help extinguish the high-voltage electrical fire. No injuries were reported and all occupants exited the facility safely.

Source: Shawlocal.com

June 3, 2026
NAPERVILLE, IL – Fire Sprinklers extinguished a fire at a luxury apartment complex. All occupants safely evacuated the building. There were no injuries. Several residents were displaced.

Source:  Naperville.il.us

May 27, 2026
CHAMPAIGN, IL – A fire sprinkler in a grill hood contained a cooking oil fire at a restaurant located on the first floor of a nine-story mixed-use property in downtown Champaign. The building includes office and retail space, and 51 condominiums on the upper floors. No injuries were reported.

Source: John Bridgman, Branch Manager, Shambaugh & Sons, LP

May 3, 2026
TINLEY PARK, IL – A fire sprinkler contained a fire in an office at Altas Putty in Tinley Park. When fire crews arrived, they discovered a heat gun was accidentally left on and ignited cardboard. Firefighters extinguished the remaining fire using a pump can. No injuries were reported.

Source: Steve, Lorendo, Fire Marshal, Tinley Park Fire Department

April 30, 2026
NAPERVILLE, IL – Fire sprinklers contained a fire at Shogun Japanese Steak House. When firefighters arrived, they detected an odor of something burning and observed light smoke in the area. A small fire was located, that had been partially extinguished by fire sprinklers. Crews extinguished the remaining smoldering materials. No one was in the restaurant at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The restaurant will be closed for a few days for cleanup and repairs.

Source: Naperville.il.us and Shogun’s Facebook Post

April 29, 2026
ALSIP, IL – A fire sprinkler contained a fire in an apartment building in Alsip. A tenant intentionally placed a pile of books on a stove and ignited the burners. The sprinkler contained the fire, limiting it to the stove area before the fire crews arrived. The apartment is expected to be ready for a new tenant soon. No injuries were reported.

Source: Alsip Fire Department

April 20, 2026
NEW LENOX, IL – Fire sprinklers extinguished a fire in a paint booth at a local business. When crews arrived, they reported light smoke visible from the exterior. After entering the building, they confirmed the sprinkler system contained the fire, allowing crews to focus on ventilation and investigation. No injuries were reported. The company was able to continue production within most of the facility later that day. This incident was the second fire sprinkler save within the district this year. “This is a textbook example of fire sprinklers doing exactly what they are designed to do,” said Deputy Fire Chief Brian Applegate. “By controlling the fire in its earliest stages, the system prevented a potential total loss of the building and ensured everyone inside could evacuate safely.”

Source: Patch.com & New Lenox Fire Protection District Press Release

April 17, 2026
ALTON, IL – A single fire sprinkler controlled a fire in a third-floor unit at a senior independent living apartment building. When crews arrived, they found smoke in the hallway. When they entered the unit, they were able to extinguish the remaining fire with water cans. No injuries were reported. According to Battalion Chief Steve Perry of the Alton Fire Department, “The sprinkler helped stop the fire, and we train at this apartment complex for these types of incidents, so our firefighters were prepared.”

Source: Riverbender.com

April 15, 2026
ELMHURST, IL – Fire sprinklers contained a fire in a commercial smoker at a BBQ restaurant. When firefighters arrived, they found smoke and sprinklers controlling the fire. Crews extinguished the remaining fire. No injuries were reported.

Source: Patch.com

April 6, 2026
LOCKPORT, IL – A fire sprinkler controlled a fire in a large warehouse. When crews arrived, there was no smoke or fire visible. They confirmed that the fire was extinguished by a sprinkler. There were no occupants in the warehouse at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported.

Source: Homer Township Fire Protection District Facebook Post/Press Release

April 4, 2026
CRYSTAL LAKE, IL – Fire sprinklers kept a fire in check at large industrial building. When crews arrived, they found a large amount of smoke and a small floor cleaning machine on fire. Firefighters pulled a hose line and extinguished the remaining fire. All occupants safely escaped. No injuries were reported.

Source: lakemchenryscanner.com