Woodbridge, Va. –– Fire officials say a sprinkler system inside of a Woodbridge apartment complex helped to save lives.
Crews were called to the 3200 block of Blazer Loop about 2 p.m. Thursday for a report of a fire.
When they arrived, they found that a sprinkler system inside the building had put out a grease fire in a kitchen of one of the apartments, and had also stopped the fire from spreading further, said Prince William County Fire and Rescue Department spokeswoman Kim Hylander.
No one was injured, but three residents were left homeless and were taken in by the Red Cross.
The property was not completely unscathed, as it sustained $12,000 in damages, said Hylander.
“Due to activation of the smoke alarm and the sprinkler system, the occupants were able to safely escape the home. Smoke from the fire activated the smoke alarm alerting the residence about the fire. The heat from the fire activated the sprinkler in the kitchen extinguishing the fire,” said Hylander.
Fire officials ruled the blaze an accident.
Officials remind residents if they are cooking and need to leave the kitchen for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
If flames do break out, cover the pan with a lid or wet cloth and don’t try to move the pan until it cools down, said Hylander.
They also remind residents to never throw water on a grease fire, as it causes the fire to spread.
