Single sprinkler head extinguishes fire in Plainfield apartment

The Plainfield Fire Protection District praised the actions of a quick-thinking teen’s response to a kitchen fire at a Plainfield apartment.

The district received a 911 call about 4 p.m. April 1 for a kitchen fire in the 23600 block of Springs Court.

By the time firefighters arrived, everyone was outside and the fire was extinguished by a single fire sprinkler, so firefighters helped with cleanup and removing the smoke.

The fire had started in a pan of oil, which was heating on the stove. It then “spread to the microwave and cabinets above the stove before being extinguished by the fire sprinkler head,” which prevented the fire from spreading, according to a news release from the district.

The teen woke up a sleeping sibling and alerted the other occupants to the smoke alarms, making sure everyone got out of the house safely, according to the release. The teen also called 911.

In the news release, the district said food cooking on a stovetop should never be left unattended. In the event of a grease fire, the district advised, don’t use water to put out the fire. Instead, turn off the heat and then put a lid on the pan to cool it and smother the fire. Never try moving or carrying a pan that’s on fire, according to the release.