Fire sprinkler saves apartments

A kitchen fire was quickly extinguished when the fire sprinkler system activated and put out a fire at 555 N. Larch St. in Sisters last week.

Occupants were frying food on the kitchen range in high temperature oil and then left the kitchen for a brief time, according to statements from the residents. Residents were then alerted to the smoke alarm sounding. When the residents returned to the kitchen they saw three-foot flames above their frying pan.

The fire only activated one sprinkler which extinguished the fire before firefighters arrived. Fire Chief Roger Johnson is thankful that the apartment complex was equipped with a fire sprinkler system; without it there is a very good chance the fire would have consumed the apartment or even the building.

The fire damage was contained to the immediate area which allowed the occupant to remain and reside in the apartment without heavy smoke or fire damage.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and injuries, with unattended cooking and frying foods being the greatest risk. This kitchen fire met all of these statistics, but had a favorable outcome because of the working smoke alarm and fire sprinkler system.