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Sprinklers Save Lives
On May 28, 2005, at 3:16 a.m., the Lingohocken Fire Company, along with mutual aid assistance from the Midway Fire Company (Ladder 5, Tanker 5), the Northampton Fire Company (Tower 3), the Newtown Fire Association (Engine 55), and the Upper Makefield Fire Company (Engine 81) were dispatched to the Buckingham Valley Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on Durham Road in Buckingham Township. These units are normally dispatched to a high hazard building such as a nursing home. Nursing home staff found smoke coming from around the door of a tub room and water coming from under the door, with building fire alarm beginning to sound. The nursing home staff immediately called 911 and began moving residents from the affected area to an adjoining wing, which was fully sprinklered and fire separated, in accordance with the facility's emergency plan.
When fire units arrived on scene, they found a smoke condition in the room of origin (tub room). Two of the three sprinklers in the room activated, extinguishing the fire in a clothes hamper. The cause of the fire is currently listed as undetermined until the investigation is complete, although it is possible the fire originated in a small appliance.
The fire never extended beyond the room of origin, and for that matter, never extended beyond the clothes hamper. Fire department activity was reduced to assisting with water removal and salvage operations. We credit the combination of the fully sprinklered building, supplemented by the quick action of the staff and emergency personnel, for the fact that there were no injuries and damage being limited to the immediate area of origin. Having sprinklers in the building, and in your home, makes our job that much easier and safer.
To learn more about the benefits of sprinklers, check out our Prevention page: http://www.lfco.org/html/prevention.html
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