Sprinklers reportedly suppress fire in Ocean City high rise

Sprinklers inside of a high rise building in Ocean City, are being hailed as the reason that there were no injuries following a Sunday night kitchen fire.

The Ocean City Fire Department says they responded to a fire alarm activation at a beach front high rise – the Century 1 Condominium building. The fire was reportedly showing smoke on the 25th floor, and was quickly upgraded to a structure fire in a high-rise.

Officials say the fire started in the kitchen of the unit, and was quickly suppressed by one fire sprinkler. Firefighters then worked to remove the smoke from the floor. There was reportedly no one in the unit at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

“Fire sprinklers respond quickly and effectively to fire, often extinguishing the fire before the fire department arrives,” commented Ocean City Fire Marshal David Hartley. “This is a perfect example of how an automatic sprinkler reacted quickly, reduced the heat and flames and prevented injuries to those inside the building.”

Officials say damages were limited to the unit that the fire started in. The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time, by the Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office.