Station 44 Video

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Sprinkler System Saves the Day

Springfield Fire Company was dispatched, along with Swarthmore, Morton and Rutledge Fire Companies, on Wednesday, December 27th at 15:50 hours for a Structure Fire at 1001 Baltimore Pike, Borders Books, Music and Cafe Store.   The first arriving fire unit from Springfield, Engine 44-1, had a fire in a Utility Closet in the rear of the store that was being controlled by one sprinkler head.  They were advised that Maintenance Workers were in the process of shutting down the sprinkler system in Borders Books.

Firefighter Keith Thomas, Officer In Charge (OIC) of the Incident, had his crew check the room for any fire extension and had Ladder 14 (Swarthmore), Engine 14-2, Engine 13-1 (Rutledge) and Engine 11-1 (Morton) check the adjacent stores for smoke and assist with ventilation.  Maintenance workers were successful in shutting down the flow of water from the Sprinkler System which helped keep damage to a minimum.

Firefighter/OIC Thomas placed the fire under control and all units were available by 16:14 hours.  Engine 44-1 remained on the scene until 17:03 hours to assist Springfield Township's Fire Marshal with the investigation.  The sprinkler system worked as intended and helped prevent a large loss fire from occurring.  The value of having sprinkler systems has proven itself again in Springfield Township, with minimal damage to the property and no injuries to citizens or firefighters.  Springfield Township is one of only a few Townships in Delaware County that requires Sprinkler Systems in all new commercial properties (since 1985) and in all new residential homes (since 1997).