Around 3:00 AM on Friday, May 31, 2024, the Yuma Fire Department and the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Fire Department responded to a commercial fire with water flowing from the sprinkler system at the Alsco facility, 3231 South Florence Lane. MCAS personnel arrived first and found a large bundle of linen products on fire under an awning of an outside storage portion of the facility, as well as an active fire sprinkler flowing. The fire was held under control with the activation of this one sprinkler head, and ultimately extinguished by fire personnel. This properly working fire sprinkler was able prevent any further damage to the building and its contents. No injuries were reported, and business operations were not disrupted.
Fire sprinkler systems can keep fires from spreading and can also extinguish them. Fire spreads quickly and can double in size every minute. Even small fires can cause significant damage to property and endanger those nearby. Contrary to many Hollywood portrayals, only sprinkler heads directly exposed to the heat activate, not those in the rest of the room, building, or complex.
Fire sprinkler systems save lives and property.