Sprinkler system prevents serious fire at Roise Court

On Wednesday 4 June at 10.33pm Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) was alerted to a sprinkler activation at Roise Court, Bedford – one of bpha’s tallest residential buildings.
On arrival, crews found that a sprinkler system in a resident’s bedroom had successfully extinguished a fire caused by a lit cigarette. The resident was alerted by a smoke alarm and was able to escape safely. Thanks to the sprinkler system, fire damage was limited to bedding, with no structural damage or fire spread.

Some neighbouring flats were temporarily affected by water escape. bpha teams and contractors responded quickly, providing support and helping residents return once the properties had dried.
This incident highlights the important role that sprinkler systems play in protecting lives and property.
Group Commander Mark Garrett, responsible for fire safety at BFRS, said: “This incident shows exactly how sprinklers save lives. The system worked perfectly, stopping the fire before it could spread. Our partnership with bpha helps keep residents safe.”
BFRS and bpha are continuing to promote the importance of sprinkler systems, working smoke alarms and strong local partnerships in keeping communities safe.