Sprinkler System Prevents Major Damage in Brick Home Fire
A recently installed residential sprinkler system proved its worth Thursday morning, limiting fire damage to a renovated home on Cedar Island Drive in Brick Township. The blaze, which started on the exterior of the unoccupied home around 6:30 a.m., was quickly contained after sprinkler heads activated on multiple floors, giving firefighters valuable time to respond and extinguish the flames before they could cause extensive damage.
No injuries were reported in the incident, which fire officials are citing as a clear demonstration of how residential sprinkler systems can save both lives and property, according to Patch.
Early Detection and Rapid Response
The fire was first reported around 6:30 a.m. and quickly confirmed by Brick Township Police Officer Joseph Sansone, who called for additional fire companies to respond to the scene. By the time firefighters arrived, the home’s sprinkler system had already activated, significantly slowing the fire’s progression.
“The sprinkler heads in bedrooms on the second and third floors activated, which held the fire in check until the fire department arrived,” explained Kevin Batzel, chief of the Brick Township Bureau of Fire Safety. “This gave firefighters valuable time to extinguish the fire and minimize damage.”
Fire officials noted that without the sprinkler system, the blaze would likely have spread much more rapidly through the structure, potentially resulting in a total loss of the home.
Fire’s Origin and Progression
According to the preliminary investigation, the fire originated on the lower exterior portion of the home before traveling upward along the exterior wall. Eventually, the flames broke through into the interior of the house on the upper floors, which is when the sprinkler system activated.
“This pattern of fire spread is not uncommon,” explained a fire safety expert not involved in the investigation. “Exterior fires often move vertically up siding and can enter through windows, eaves, or other openings. Once inside, they can spread rapidly through interior spaces if not checked quickly.”
Assistant Fire Marshal Robert Kurilla is leading the ongoing investigation into the exact cause of the fire. Officials have not yet released information about what might have ignited the blaze.
Sprinklers as Part of Renovation Requirements
The home on Cedar Island Drive had recently undergone significant renovations, during which the sprinkler system was installed to comply with building codes for larger reconstructed homes. Chief Batzel noted that such systems provide an important layer of protection that complements traditional smoke detectors.
“Residential fire sprinklers are required in some larger constructed or renovated homes such as this one,” he explained. “This incident clearly demonstrates their effectiveness in preventing catastrophic damage and potentially saving lives.”
Fire safety advocates have long pushed for broader adoption of residential sprinkler systems, pointing to studies showing that they can reduce fire death rates by up to 80 percent and property damage by approximately 70 percent when compared to homes without sprinklers.
Growing Trend in Home Safety
While not yet mandated in all new residential construction, sprinkler systems are becoming increasingly common in higher-end homes and renovations. Industry experts note that many homeowners are voluntarily installing these systems, recognizing their potential to save lives and protect valuable property.
“We’re seeing more homeowners opt for residential sprinkler systems even when not required by code,” said Jennifer Martinez, a local home insurance specialist. “Many insurance companies offer premium discounts for homes with sprinklers, which can help offset the installation costs over time.”
The National Fire Protection Association estimates that when a fire occurs, the average loss in a home with sprinklers is about $2,000, compared to over $45,000 in homes without sprinkler protection.
Coordinated Response Effort
The Brick Township Fire Department received assistance from several mutual aid partners in responding to Thursday’s fire. Chief Batzel expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort that helped prevent what could have been a much more destructive incident.
“I want to praise Brick Township’s firefighters and thank all of our mutual aid partners for their assistance with this fire,” Batzel said. “Their quick response, combined with the sprinkler system’s effectiveness, resulted in a best-case outcome for what could have been a much worse situation.”
The unoccupied status of the home at the time of the fire likely prevented potential injuries or fatalities, but officials emphasized that the sprinkler system would have provided crucial escape time had anyone been inside when the blaze started.
