Sprinklers Save Eldersburg Townhouse From Basement Fire

The Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department reminds residents of the importance of residential sprinkler systems following a townhouse fire in Eldersburg Tuesday afternoon. 

Sykesville firefighters were alerted to a reported basement fire in the 1200 block of Heathfield Road in Eldersburg Tuesday around 12:50 p.m. The owner came home to find water coming from the front of the house along with smoke and flames visible from a basement window, according to Deputy Fire Chief Brett Pearce. 

When firefighters arrived, they found light smoke coming from the front of a home in the middle of a row of townhouses along with fire and smoke visible through the basement window.

Once they entered the home, firefighters discovered that the residential sprinklers had been activated and there was fire coming from a dryer in the basement. 

Other than water and smoke damage to the basement, the house and all of its contents were saved, according to Chief Pearce. 

"If it were not for the residential sprinklers being in place and confining the fire to its origin, considerable damage would have been done to not only the home but most likely the adjoining homes as well in this mid week, middle of the day fire," said Chief Pearce in a post on the Sykesville Fire Department website. 

"The Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department strongly supports the residential sprinkler ordinance and it is once again apparent that sprinklers save lives and property."