Fire brigade recommends sprinklers as two separate fires break out within two hours in Camden
London Fire Brigade were called to a major indoors market and shop to tackle two blazes last night, 28th February.
The sprinkler system at Camden Stable’s Market on Chalk Farm Road helped control the fire until the fire brigade arrived at around midnight.
Fire crews were able to confine the fire to the ground floor unit and the blaze was under control by 0130hrs.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “This incident highlights the clear benefits of sprinklers to businesses and we would urge all companies and business owners to install them.
“In this case the sprinklers controlled the fire spread, limiting damage to the building and preventing anyone from being put at risk from any fire. As well as limiting fire damage and being potentially life saving devices, sprinklers and other fire suppression systems help with business continuity by minimising disruption and allowing businesses to get back to normal as soon as possible.”
The fire is believed to be accidental and due to an electrical fault.
Earlier in the evening, in a separate fire – the first Camden fire of the evening – at around 1000hrs, a little way down the road on Camden High Street, firefighters tackled a blaze that ripped through a shop.
Four fire engines and around 20 firefighters were called to a fire at a shop with flats above it on the busy stretch of road. Residents living in the flats were evacuated before the arrival of crews from Kentish Town, Euston and Soho.
Kentish Town Watch Manager Dan Acquah, who was at the scene, said: “When crews arrived there was very intense smoke coming from the building and flames were extremely visible.
“Firefighters had to use cutting equipment to gain access to the shop as it had metal shutters, but crews worked quickly to bring the fire under control and prevented it from spreading to the flats above and neighbouring businesses.”
Part of the ground floor shop was damaged by fire but there were no reports of any injuries.
The cause of the second fire is under investigation.
Yet again sprinklers are show to be an effective method of fire suppression and we have another example of how sprinklers not only protect people and businesses but also firefighters.