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