Fire Sprinkler Saves (Fall 2025 Edition)

December 31, 2025
WOODSTOCK, IL – Fire sprinklers extinguished a fire at the back of a Walmart store. Employees advised fire crews that there had been an active fire inside the building. When crews arrived, fire sprinklers had extinguished the fire. Employees and customers evacuated the building. No injuries were reported.

Source: Lakemchenryscanner.com and NE Illinois Emergency Incident’s Facebook Post

December 30, 2025
WESTMONT, IL – Fire sprinklers controlled a restaurant kitchen fire that began on a stove, spread into a grease chute and reached the roof. Sprinklers kept the fire from spreading inside the building. Fire crews used a hose to extinguish the roof fire. No injuries were reported.

Source: Westmont Fire Department Facebook Post

December 26, 2025
GIBSON CITY, IL – A single fire sprinkler extinguished a fire in a second-floor apartment unit of a three story, 32-unit apartment building.

Upon arrival, fire crews encountered smoke in the apartment and determined that the building’s automatic fire sprinkler system had extinguished the fire. A 71-year old man was charged with aggravated arson for allegedly setting fire to his apartment. There were no reported injuries.

“We determined that the sprinkler system had (already) put the fire out, so we didn’t have to use any truck water or anything. The sprinkler system did its job,” said Fire Chief Bruce Kallal of the Gibson City Fire Protection District.

Source: Ford County Chronicle

December 24, 2025
BEECHER, IL – A single fire sprinkler kept a fire from spreading at a large banquet facility, containing it to the area of origin. Upon arrival, crews found a working fire in the kitchen area, with the building’s automatic fire sprinkler system activated. The fire was declared under control within ten minutes of the first crew’s arrival. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.

“This incident highlights the critical role automatic fire sprinkler systems play in limiting fire growth, reducing damage, and improving life safety,” said Fire Chief Joseph Falaschetti of the Beecher Fire Protection District. “Properly installed and maintained sprinklers help protect occupants, responding firefighters, and businesses by minimizing property loss and recovery time.”

Source: Beecher Fire Protection District Press Release

December 6, 2025
CHICAGO, IL – Fire sprinklers extinguished a mattress fire on the second floor of a 19-story senior residential building. No injuries were reported.

Source:  Firedog Media’s Post (Facebook) & newsbreak.com

December 5, 2025
CHANNAHON, IL – Fire sprinklers stopped a fire from spreading at Love’s/Speedco Truck Service facility.  Firefighters from the Channahon Fire Protection District arrived to find a fire in the east maintenance bay. Fire sprinklers controlled the fire, firefighters extinguished the remaining fire. Ther were no occupants at the time of the fire.

According to the Channahon Fire Protection District, this incident highlights the importance of the facilities’ well-maintained fire suppression system and its fire alarm system. This scenario reinforces the value of properly maintained sprinklers, alarm notification equipment and initiation devices to ensure reliable performance when needed.

Source:  Channahon Fire Protection District Facebook Post (Press Release)

December 2, 2025
PEORIA, IL – Fire sprinklers extinguished a trash fire in the 5th floor hallway of an apartment building. When fire crews arrived, they confirmed that the fire was extinguished and confined to the hallway. All residents were safely evacuated. No injuries were reported.

Source: Peoria Fire Department Press Release (via Facebook)

November 17, 2025
HIGHLAND PARK, IL – A single fire sprinkler controlled a fire in the basement of a two-story, single-family home. Residents and a plumbing contractor were in the home at the time of the fire and attempted to extinguish the fire until the sprinkler activated. Fire crews arrived and extinguished the remaining fire. No injuries were reported. The residents were able to remain in the home.

Source: lakemchenryscanner.com

November 5, 2025
PEORIA, IL – Fire sprinklers contained a cooking fire in an apartment kitchen. All residents were safely evacuated, no injuries were reported. According to the Peoria Fire Department, the same Peoria Housing Authority apartment complex had a sprinkler save on January 1, 2024. This is the second Peoria save in an apartment building this week and third in the last 2-1/2 weeks.

Source: Peoria Fire Department Press Release

November 4, 2025
ALSIP, IL – Fire sprinklers stopped a fire from spreading at Alsip Mini Mill, a corrugated supply company. Firefighters from the Alsip Fire Department arrived and extinguished the remaining fire. No injuries were reported.

Source: Alsip Fire Department

November 3, 2025
PEORIA, IL – Fire sprinklers contained a fire in an apartment building in Downtown Peoria. Fire crews were able to extinguish the remaining fire. A suspect has been arrested for allegedly starting the fire in her apartment. All residents were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

Source: 25newsnow.com

November 1, 2025
BOURBONNAIS, IL – A single fire sprinkler extinguished a fire in the common area of a college dorm building at Olivet Nazarene University. When crews arrived, they discovered a toaster had started on fire on the second floor. According to Fire Chief Jim Keener, the sprinkler activated as it was designed. One sprinkler activated and extinguished the fire. A fire watch was established until a sprinkler contractor made the repairs, allowing occupants on the third and fourth floor to return to their rooms.

Source: Jim Keener, Fire Chief, Bourbonnais Fire Protection District

October 24, 2025
URBANA, IL – A single fire sprinkler extinguished a fire in a dorm on the second floor of University of Illinois’ Lincoln Avenue Residence Hall. The fire was contained to the one room. No injuries were reported.

Source: Tri-State Fire Alerts Facebook Post

October 20, 2025
PEORIA, IL – Fire sprinklers contained a fire in a unit in a five-story apartment building. Fire crews were able to extinguish the remaining fire. The fire was contained to a single unit. All residents were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

According to a press release from the Peoria Fire Department, the fire was intentionally set. This incident underscores the critical importance of code-compliant fire protection systems in multi-story residential buildings. The sprinklers significantly reduced potential damage and risk to residents.

Source: Peoria IL Fire Department Media Release

October 10, 2025
ROCK ISLAND, IL – Fire sprinklers stopped a fire from spreading at the Tri-City Heat Treat building. Crews arrived and found a fire in a piece of machinery. They were able to extinguished the remaining fire. No injuries were reported.

Source: kwqc.com

October 2, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, IL – Fire sprinklers controlled a van fire in the underground parking garage of student apartments near the University of Illinois in Champaign. According to responding crews, the sprinklers contained the fire. There was no damage to the building and students were not displaced. According to Deputy Fire Marshal Jeremy Mitchell, Champaign Fire Department, the rapid activation of the fire sprinklers minimized property damage and ensured the safety and wellbeing of residents. Fire officials are calling it a big win!

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