September 10, 2026
WAUKEGAN, IL – A single fire sprinkler controlled a stove fire in an apartment complex, preventing it from spreading to the rest of the building. Fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the unit. The fire started when plastic on the stove ignited. Firefighters extinguished the remaining fire with a water can.
“Without a working fire sprinkler, this fire would have grown unchecked and displaced multiple families from their homes,” said Fire Marshal Scott Ward, Waukegan Fire Department. “Additionally, firefighters experienced less dangerous working conditions, allowing them to mitigate this emergency quickly and get back in service faster.”
Source: Scott Ward, Fire Marshal, Waukegan Fire Department