Jan. 14--Sprinklers were able to put out a stove-top fire in a room at a Yuma hotel Saturday afternoon before firefighters arrived.
Just before 4:30 p.m., Yuma Fire Department units were sent to a fire alarm at the Candlewood Suites hotel, 2035 S. Avenue 3E. YFD spokesman Mike Erfert explained that whenever a water sprinkler system activates it automatically triggers what is known as a "waterflow alarm," which is what firefighters were responding to in this instance.
Erfert said arriving YFD personnel found there had been a fire in a fourth-floor of the hotel and that the sprinkler head near the fire had activated and extinguished the fire. The fire was caused by a pan of oil left heating on the stove by the room's occupant.
Erfert said the fire damage was limited to the immediate area around and above the stove-top. There were no injuries.
Once inside the room, firefighters confirmed that the fire was out and that it had not spread to other rooms or floors. The hotel, Erfert said, was able to stay in operation, although occupants had to be evacuated for a short period.
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 personal property and endanger those nearby.
Contrary to many Hollywood portrayals, only sprinkler heads directly exposed to the heat (155 degrees for a residential sprinkler) activate, not those in the rest of the room, building or complex.
James Gilbert can be reached at [email protected] or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.
Copyright 2013 - The Sun, Yuma, Ariz.
