Sprinkler systems installed at Jiffy Packaging meant that damage from a blaze in machinery was kept to a minimum.
Two fire engines, one from Winsford and one from Northwich, were called to Winsford Industrial Estate at 10:01 on 19 February, after a fire broke out in a piece of machinery.
The company’s sprinkler system had activated which ensured the fire did not spread and was confined to the machine. The two crews arrived minutes after receiving the call and were able to put out the blaze inside the machine using a hose reel jet, before inspecting the connected ducting using height safety equipment and a thermal imaging camera.
Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service’s Head of Prevention and Protection, Keith Brooks, explained: “The fire was contained by two sprinkler heads from the company’s system which activated in the relevant zone and prevented the fire from spreading to other areas. This meant that firefighters just needed to use a hose reel jet to completely extinguish the fire in the machine.
“Had there been no sprinkler system installed the damage could have been much greater. In similar cases we have seen incidents that needed up to 10 fire engines in attendance for extended periods. This incident could have resulted in much more serious damage from which companies very rarely recover. Having a sprinkler system has certainly kept this company in business.”
Staff had evacuated the buildings as a precaution but were allowed back inside as soon as the firefighters had confirmed the fire was out.
