Town House Complex on East Side of Vancouver - Fires

(Letter from the builder)

Dear Fire Busters;

Back in November 1998, I found out first hand how beneficial a residential fire sprinkler system is. I had a town house project under construction in the east side of Vancouver, B.C. One weekend a fire was started by an arsonist on the top floor of one of the units. At the time the fire sprinkler system was not completely installed. The next business day I requested that Fire Busters finish the installation and keep the sprinklers turned on at all costs. This was done and all the sprinklers systems were left in operation with out any audible alarms.

The very next weekend, the arsonist returned to start a fire in another unit. This time there was a surprise for the culprit, the fire was quickly and effectively extinguished by one sprinkler. As this was on a weekend the water flowed for some time before it was discovered on Monday morning, but even at this, the damage was unbelievably less than the outcome of the previous week’s fire.

             

I had been victimized twice by the arsonist, but with two very dramatic results. One fire with fire sprinklers, one without. I had believed in fire sprinklers but not as whole heartedly as I do now.

After experiencing a fire in a home nearly finished that caused $95,000.00 in direct damaged compared to a fire with fire sprinklers that caused $15,000.00 in direct damages including water damages. I now truly believe fire sprinklers work, by saving me $80,000.00 and this does not include my time lost and time spent to arrange all the repairs necessary after the first fire.

Sincerely,

Prominent Vancouver Builder
Vancouver, BC

Name withheld at Builders request