Potential structure fires successfully doused by fire
sprinklers
Gilroy – Fire sprinklers successfully extinguished two potential structure fires this month.
A midmorning fire Wednesday at a nail salon on First Street was put out after fire sprinklers installed in the salon automatically turned on. The fire started from a match discarded into a wastebasket.
When the Gilroy Fire Department arrived on scene, the fire had been extinguished by the sprinklers. Firefighters removed the water and the salon was back in business later Wednesday afternoon.
Eleven days earlier, a late night fire at Margareta Place – a senior apartment complex – was intentionally set by a juvenile living in the building. The fire alarm system activated a single sprinkler overhead, which kept damages at a minimum and possibly saved lives, city officials said.
All residents were evacuated and no injuries were reported.
City officials remind residents that sprinkler systems have a proven track record for saving property and lives.
