Sprinkler extinguishes fire in London studio – second activation in 19 months

A fire at a converted six-storey former office block in London was successfully extinguished last month by a single residential sprinkler head, preventing what could have been a major incident.

This marks the second reported sprinkler activation at the building in just 19 months, reinforcing the vital role of sprinklers in modern fire safety systems.

On the evening of 11 July 2025, London Fire Brigade (LFB) was alerted to a fire in one of the 62 one-room studio flats at the property. The fire, caused by a charging laptop, activated one sprinkler head, which contained and extinguished the blaze before it could spread beyond the room of origin. The damage was limited to the initial item ignited, with only light smoke damage reported. No injuries occurred.

This incident closely mirrors a previous activation in December 2023, when a fire involving combustibles was similarly contained by a single sprinkler head before firefighters arrived.

Fire safety experts say these back-to-back incidents highlight the effectiveness of well-designed and properly maintained sprinkler systems. In both cases, the sprinklers significantly reduced the fire’s growth and impact, preventing prolonged operations that could have strained LFB’s resources and disrupted wider emergency services.

The building is protected by a BS9251:2014 Category 2 residential sprinkler system, which includes a tank-and-pump water supply capable of delivering water for 30 minutes and floor-level sprinkler isolation valves.

A spokesperson from the fire service said, “This incident once again demonstrates how residential sprinkler systems can make a crucial difference, especially in high-rise buildings. They not only help protect lives and property but also reduce risk to firefighters and other emergency responders.”

Visit BAFSA's Sprinkler Saves UK to read more examples of  sprinkler success stories. 

Pic courtesy: National Sprinklers