Sprinkler helps to contain fire

NORMAL - A single fire sprinkler activated and stopped an early stage bedroom fire at the Lodge on Willow Wednesday afternoon which prevented damage to the apartment and stopped fire from spreading into the attic space.

Normal Fire Department was called at 1:17pm to the report of a fire in a third-floor bedroom at The Lodge on Willow apartment complex at 214 W. Willow Street in Normal. Maintenance was on site and reported the fire to 9-1-1 and that the apartment was evacuated.

Firefighters arrived and reported smoke coming from a third floor window which faces the parking lot and pool area. Upon entry to the apartment, firefighters noted that the sprinkler in the affected bedroom was active and putting water on the fire. Firefighters shut down the sprinkler system and ventilated smoke from the apartment and then ensured that the fire was completely out.

“This is a perfect example of a fire sprinkler system getting water on an early stage fire fast and knocking the fire down before it got out of control,” said Fire Chief Mick Humer.

The third floor bedroom where the fire began sustained only moderate smoke and heat damage. The water from the sprinkler activation saturated the room and put the fire out. There was water damage to the contents of the room and to the ceiling and carpets of the apartment.

The occupant was not home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries reported during the incident. A damage estimate is not available at this time. Normal Fire Department Investigators are on the scene working to determine the cause and origin of the fire.