SPRINKLERS KEPT FIRE IN CHECK AT WASHINGTON STATE APARTMENT COMPLEX
Fire officials credit a sprinkler system with putting
out a fire at an apartment complex in Renton, Washington this week. According
to the Renton Reporter, no one was injured. Three families were
displaced. Officials say the fire was started by flower-shaped decorative
lights resting on the carpeted floor in the dining area. Fire crews didn't need
to deploy equipment, but helped clean up the water damage.
Renton Deputy Fire Chief Chad Michael stressed that the
sprinkler system kept the fire in check. "The sprinkler system did its job
and kept the impact to a pretty minimal amount," he is quoted as saying.
The chief's words underscore what NFPA's educational materials tell us. The community
toolkit on home fire sprinklers and home fire sprinkler safety information,
including the Home Fire Sprinklers tips sheet, reinforce the point that home
fire sprinklers protect lives by keeping fires small.
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THREE FAMILIES
DISPLACED IN RENTON APARTMENT FIRE; SPRINKLERS KEEP IT FROM SPREADING
Jan 28, 2015 at 11:33AM
Renton, Washington
A sprinkler system extinguished a fire at a Renton apartment
complex Tuesday night before it could spread, according to Renton Fire and
Emergency Services Department.
The call came in at 8:06 p.m. as an activated fire alarm at
the Benson Downs Apartments, 11000 S.E. Petrovitsky Road.
No one was injured, but three families were displaced from
their water-damaged apartments, according to Renton Deputy Fire Chief Chad
Michael. The American Red Cross responded to assist them.
Four units suffered water damage, with the unit where the
fire started the most affected by water and some fire, according to Michael.
The fire was started by flower-shaped decorative lights
resting on the carpeted floor in the dining area, he said.
Fire crews didn't need to deploy their firefighting
equipment but helped clean up the water damage.
Two engines, one ladder truck and two aid units responded to
the fire.
Michael stressed that the sprinkler system kept the fire in
check. "The sprinkler did its job and kept the impact to a pretty minimal
amount," he said. A damage amount wasn't immediately available.
He noted that recent fires at apartment complexes in Renton
grew in size because they didn't have sprinklers.