Sprinkler system puts out apartment fire

An automated sprinkler system extinguished an oven fire inside an apartment Tuesday afternoon, which resulted in the kitchen only suffering minimal smoke and water damage, according to the Yuma Fire Department.

Spokesman Mike Erfert said that just before 2:30 p.m., an alarm was reported indicating that a fire sprinkler had activated inside an apartment at the Villa Serena Apartment Complex, located at 2351 S. 37th Ave.

When firefighters arrived on scene, they found that the fire sprinklers in the kitchen of the apartment units had extinguished the fire before they got there.

Firefighters then worked to shut down the water flow and assist with the cleanup.

When the cause of the fire was investigated it was determined that the occupant normally stored a quantity of cooking oil in the oven. The oven had been accidentally turned on and led to the oil igniting.

When flames were seen, the oven was opened and water was thrown on the burning oil. The reaction caused the fire to flare up, activating the sprinkler head above the oven, stopping any spread and immediately extinguishing the fire.

When water is poured onto an oil fire in an attempt to put it out, it will cause the fire to flare up because the water vaporizes into steam, which expands, causing it to spit out the oil, making the flames even bigger.

However, Erfert explained that the amount of water dispensed from a sprinkler activation is more than enough to contain and extinguish a small oil fire.

The Yuma Fire Department reminds the community that fire sprinkler systems can keep fires from spreading and can also extinguish them. Fire spreads quickly and can double in size every minute. Even small fires can cause significant damage to property and endanger those nearby.

“We have had a large number of sprinkler saves in the past year,” Erfert said.

Automated sprinkler systems were credited with extinguishing eight fires at various commercial establishments, such as hotels, restaurants and other businesses in 2017, two of which happened within a 24-hour period and three within the same week.

Contrary to many Hollywood portrayals, only sprinkler heads directly exposed to the heat activate, not those in the rest of the room, building, or complex. Sprinkler systems save lives and protect property.