Federal Way – South King Fire & Rescue fire investigators are again crediting fire sprinklers with saving a condominium building at 33020 10th Ave SW (Latitude Condominiums) on Sunday, January 23.

The sprinklers extinguished a stove fire in one of the units after the occupant left oil burning in a pan in the kitchen. She returned to find the pan on fire, as well as the above cabinets. She quickly evacuated her home with her daughter and pulled the fire alarm, which notified 9-1-1.

A single sprinkler head in the kitchen activated and extinguished the fire prior to fire department arrival. The sprinkler system not only allowed the family extra time to evacuate, but prevented major property loss. Damage estimates from the stove fire are approximately $5,000.

Investigators believe that had the sprinkler system not been in place, the fire could have easily spread to adjoining units, resulting in substantial dollar loss and possibly even injuries or death. Kitchen fires are the number one cause of fire in the fire district, as well as across the country.