Embarrassed Home Owner Gets Wet

It was approximately 7:30 pm on May 01, 2003, when a Delta, B.C. resident was attempting to cook french fries on his stove. Shortly after turning on the stove, the pot of cooking grease caught on fire. As every person should have, he had a fire extinguisher close at hand on his fridge top. As the fire started Mr. Stirling’s instinct was to douse the fire with the kitchen sink tap water, but soon realised this was not going to work.

As the grease fire gained momentum and heat increased, the ceiling sprinkler activated and quickly doused the fire. The alarm sounded and the apartment building was evacuated, while the Fire Department responded in full force. Once the fire department determined the fire was out, they immediately shut off the sprinkler system. Three suites had minor water damage and Mr. Stirling got some minor burns on his hand. Damage was estimated around $35,000 according to the on-site insurance adjuster.

Had there been NO sprinklers the damage could have easily topped $100,000 according to the adjuster. As the Reliable ZX pendent sprinkler was being replaced, it became evident of Mr. Stirling’s attempts to control the grease fire. Signs of grease and fire were spread through out the kitchen. It was later explained by another resident he had found Mr. Stirling standing under the spray of the sprinkler using his cordless phone trying to determine how to turn the water off.

Once Mr. Stirling’s son saw the enormous benefit that sprinklers provided, he was heard stating that a new home he is planning to build would definitely have sprinklers installed.

Checking all the local papers over the next few days, we saw there was no mention of this fire. Then why would we, when the sprinkler system worked just like it is supposed to.

Tim Killey
Fire Busters Inc.