Sprinkler system puts out fire in bedroom at apartment complex
An automated sprinkler system extinguished a fire inside the bedroom of an apartment Tuesday evening. According to the Yuma Fire Department, this was the second fire sprinkler save at the complex this year.
Spokesperson Mike Erfert reported that at 7:35 p.m. firefighters responded to an alarm that was received from the La Posada Apartments, which is located at 1900 West 30th Street.
Upon their arrival firefighters found that a fire in the bedroom of an apartment had activated a fire sprinkler head, which had completely extinguished it.
Firefighters made sure the fire was out and then began ventilating the smoke from the apartment.
There were two people in the apartment at the time of the fire and both were able to evacuate safely.
The fire was believed to have started in a bedroom television set. Fire damage was limited to items in the immediate area and wall behind the set.
Maintenance personnel from the apartment complex were working to clean up the apartment for the residents to reoccupy. The American Red Cross was called and assisted with temporary lodging for the night.
In March a sprinkler head extinguished a stove top fire, preventing it from spreading to the rest of the apartment.
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.
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.