Published: June 26, 2009 11:33 pm      

Unpublicized structure fire speaks volumes

EDMOND — Some unpublicized structure fires in Edmond speak volumes in that sprinkler systems are saving lives and keeping residents in their homes, a fire official said.

The activation of a lone fire sprinkler head is credited with saving a 42-unit apartment building, said Edmond Fire Maj. Mike Barnes, a member of the Fire Department’s fire prevention unit.

At 3:21 p.m. Wednesday, the Fire Department received a call about a structure fire at the Christopher Place Apartments, 101 N. Boulevard.

When fire units arrived, they discovered that the fire had been put out by an overhead sprinkler, containing it to one apartment, according to an incident report. A pan of oil was being heated to cook a stir fry dish by the residents. The oil became hot and flashed into flames.

The residents left the apartment to get help, and the building’s fire sprinkler system discharged and extinguished the fire before fire crews arrived. The fire has been determined to be a cooking related accident.

“These type of fires never get reported on the 6 o’clock news,” Barnes said. “However, the owner of the property should be praised for having a fire safe building.”

Dan Boone, operations manager for Momentum Property Management, said damage to the unit likely will be about $2,500, but without the sprinkler system it could have been about $50,000. Boone said management will make repairs to the damaged unit including replacing the carpet, painting and replacing the oven.

Boone said on some other properties, fires consumed units within a matter of minutes. The fact no one was injured or displaced from neighboring units speaks to the effectiveness of the system with independent sprinkler heads, he said.

He also praised the response time of the Edmond Fire Department and the professional compassion of firefighters toward residents they encounter.

Barnes said the sprinkler system was installed about eight years ago during an extensive remodel of the apartment complex. The working smoke alarms were sounding when fire crews arrived.

There was minimal smoke and water damage and the residents were back in the apartment that night, Barnes said. No other residents were displaced, he said.

Barnes said working smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system make the best fire-life safety building. Oklahoma is No. 3 in the United States for persons dying in home fires, and fire sprinklers and working smoke detectors substantially can decrease the loss of life and property damage from the perils of fire, Barnes said.

More than 90 percent of fires are extinguished with one fire sprinkler head, Barnes said.

Barnes encouraged residents or business owners wanting more information about indoor fire suppression sprinkler systems to call a qualified contractor or to call him at 359-4312.



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