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