Oregon, WI – October 21, 2025 – The Oregon Area Fire/EMS District (OAFED) was dispatched last night to a three-story apartment building after an alarm monitoring company reported a residential fire alarm. The swift activation of the building’s sprinkler system played a critical role in containing what could have been a much more severe incident.
Upon arrival, the first-arriving Engine Company quickly identified the cause of the alarm: an unattended cooking fire within one of the apartment units. Fortunately, the fire was suppressed by the immediate activation of a sprinkler head directly above the area of origin. This crucial response by the building’s fire suppression system effectively confined the fire damage to a small area within the affected apartment.
While the fire itself was quickly extinguished, the apartment of origin sustained fire, smoke, and water damage. Additionally, several adjacent apartments experienced varying degrees of water damage as a direct result of the sprinkler system’s activation. OAFED crews worked diligently to mitigate further damage by promptly stopping the flow of water from the sprinkler system. They then initiated extensive water removal efforts from all affected apartments, minimizing the impact on residents and property.
This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the vital importance of properly installed and maintained sprinkler systems in residential buildings. The quick action of this system undoubtedly prevented the fire from spreading, saving lives and significantly reducing property loss. We commend the alarm monitoring company for their prompt notification and our crews for their efficient response in both extinguishing the fire and mitigating water damage.
OAFED reminds all residents to exercise extreme caution when cooking and to never leave cooking unattended. Unattended cooking remains a leading cause of residential fires.
The Oregon Area Fire/EMS District is committed to protecting the lives and property of the community through prevention, education, and emergency response.