Home sprinkler system prevents serious fire in tall Bedford residential building

A potentially devastating fire in Bedford was successfully and swiftly extinguished by a sprinkler system, leading to praises from the fire service.

The incident took place at Roise Court in Bedford, on Wednesday 4 June.

It could have been much more serious, but a single sprinkler head fully extinguished the fire.

The fire started in a resident’s bedroom, after a lit cigarette sparked the blaze.

The resident was alerted by a working smoke alarm and was able to escape safely.

Thanks to the sprinkler system, fire damage was limited to bedding, with no structural damage or fire spread.

While some neighbouring flats experienced temporary water escape, bpha teams and contractors responded quickly, supporting residents and helping them return once the properties were dry.

Group Commander Mark Garrett, responsible for fire safety at Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS), said:

“This incident shows exactly how sprinklers save lives. The system worked perfectly, stopping the fire before it could spread. Our partnership with bpha helps keep residents safe.”

This incident highlights the crucial role that sprinkler systems, working smoke alarms, and strong local partnerships play in protecting lives and property.

BFRS and bpha continue to champion fire safety measures to ensure community wellbeing.

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