September 30th was a busy day for CTVFC crews. Two early morning fire alarms, an assist for a kitchen fire to Evans City, and two calls with smoke in buildings in the Township, ending the day with a total of 8 calls. Here is an example of how we learn to hope for the best but plan for the worst......

At 1401 on 9/30/20, Station 21 was dispatched to an automatic fire alarm at the Residence Inn with no additional information. Engine 21-3 went enroute with 4, and upon arrival was advised that CT PD in the building had smoke in the hall on the 2nd floor with a sprinkler activation in room 206. Chief 21-2 upgraded the alarm to a structure response, which includes Station 90 departments (22, 20, 19, 42), along with Allegheny County 185 and Beaver County 26. Upon investigation, a stove top had caught a bag of groceries on fire causing the sprinkler to activate and created a heavy smoke condition. 21 crews were assisted by Adams Twp. Fire District units to ventilate the smoke and provided overhaul operations in the room below due to the water.

The sprinkler system did exactly what it is designed to do and extinguished the fire before it could cause additional damage or spread to other units. This is an example of why sprinklers in residential and commercial properties are invaluable at saving property and lives.