Life-saving sprinkler systems praised following recent incidents 

Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) is highlighting the crucial role of automatic fire sprinkler systems following two separate fire incidents in residential buildings in the area. In both cases, sprinkler systems activated promptly, suppressing the fires, protecting people and the property, as well as preventing serious injury, fatalities, or significant property loss. 

Incident One: Fire involving lithium-ion battery from e-Bike: 

Firefighters were mobilised to a fire within a block of flats in Bristol caused by a lithium-ion battery from a charging e-bike. Upon arrival, crews found that the building’s sprinkler system had activated and successfully contained the fire to the room of origin.  

The rapid activation of the sprinkler head protected the property and prevented the fire from spreading further, significantly reducing smoke and heat, allowing for the safe evacuation of residents and a safer operating environment for attending fire crews. 

Incident Two: Kitchen fire in tall residential building: 

In a separate incident, a fire broke out in the kitchen of a flat within a tall residential building, believed to be caused by an air fryer. Again, the building’s automatic sprinkler system activated immediately, extinguishing the fire before it could escalate. Fire crews arrived on scene to find the fire fully suppressed, with no casualties and only minor property damage. 

Station Manager Di Clack, from Avon Fire & Rescue Services’ Business Fire Safety Team, said: “These two incidents clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of sprinkler systems in protecting lives and property. In both cases, the sprinklers operated as intended, controlling and extinguishing the fires before our crews arrived. The outcomes could have been far more serious without these systems in place. 

“Our message today is to highlight the importance of sprinkler systems, and how effective they can be in firefighting.” 

Automatic fire sprinkler systems are a proven life safety measure. According to a report commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs’ Council, the systems are: 

• 99% effective in controlling or extinguishing fires in buildings where they are fitted. 

• 94% reliable in terms of correct operation during an incident. 

Beyond fire suppression, sprinklers reduce the production of toxic smoke and limit property damage, easing the burden on emergency services and reducing long-term recovery costs. 

These recent incidents serve as powerful reminders of the importance of investing in protective and preventative fire safety measures. The swift action of sprinkler systems not only safeguarded residents and first responders, but also ensured that both fires were contained with minimal disruption to the wider community.