South Yorkshire fire crews call for more sprinklers after chip pan fire in Doncaster high rise
One of the devices helped to put out a blade at Silverwood House over the summer
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue have called for more sprinklers to be installed in high rise buildings across the UK, after one of the devices helped to prevent a serious fire in Doncaster.
Flames broke out after a chip pan overheated on July 1 on the 11th floor of Silverwood House in Balby Bridge.
One sprinkler was quickly activated, with flames out before fire crews arrived.
Nobody was hurt and there was only minor damage to one room in the flat.
Despite the effectiveness of sprinklers, there is no law forcing building owners to retrofit flats with the devices.
Roger Brason, of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said: “We’ve championed the use of sprinklers, particularly in high-rise buildings, for quite some time, so we’re delighted that all of the blocks in Doncaster now have them.
“The decision by St Ledger Homes of Doncaster, in collaboration with Doncaster Council and SYFR, to install sprinklers within this residential block of flats should be applauded.
“These devices not only help protect life but help protect property too. In most cases, they will extinguish a fire completely and prevent it from spreading any further.”