A West Midlands mum has thanked Birmingham City Council for ensuring that a ‘life-saving’ sprinkler system had been installed in her tenth-floor flat when a fire caused by an electric bike cut off her family’s only escape route out of the building.
Even though 25 firefighters were mobilised and at the scene within three minutes – the sprinkler system had already brought the fire under control. Had they not been fitted, the outcome would have been very different.
Hana shared her moving story in a video for West Midlands Fire & Rescue service which certainly brings the message home.
Simon Barry, Deputy Chief Fire Officer of West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS), said: “Sprinklers save lives – as this incident very clearly demonstrates. It could have ended tragically had the council-fitted system not kicked in.
“Sprinklers are invaluable. They save lives and reduce injuries, protect firefighters who respond to fires, and reduce the amount of fire damage to property and the environment.”
Four fire engines, a 4×4 Brigade Response Vehicle and an aerial platform attended the scene. A man, a woman and a toddler were led to safety by firefighters, before being taken to hospital for checks after breathing in smoke.
Added DCFO Barry: “Without the sprinklers, the family could have been very seriously injured or worse. The bike battery produced a lot of smoke and fumes, which quickly spread through the flat. Very fortunately, the sprinkler system did its job. One of the sprinkler ‘heads’ was fitted very close to where the bike was being charged, so the flames were quickly extinguished.”
BAFSA and WMFS have previously welcomed the decision taken by several West Midlands councils to retrofit sprinklers across their high-rise tower blocks.