One sprinkler head stopped a Southampton high-rise fire in its tracks - read how it saved lives, property, and even two cats.
Posted on
September 9, 2025
By
On 12 August 2025, a retrofitted residential sprinkler system in a 15-storey “scissor block” on Irving Road, Southampton, effectively contained, controlled, and extinguished a fire that ignited from textiles left on a cooking hob. The single activated sprinkler head confined the blaze to one room - allowing firefighters to safely enter, extinguish remaining hotspots, and rescue two cats, all without any injuries being reported.
Firefighter Incident Commander Mark Caplen praised the system’s performance:
“The sprinklers… contained the fire to a single room and prevented it from becoming a far more serious incident. The building performed exactly as designed.”
This successful activation demonstrates the tremendous effectiveness and reliability of sprinkler systems, particularly in complex high-rise constructions. The incident underscores why residential sprinklers in tall blocks are vital components of a robust fire safety strategy.
Furthermore, this outcome aligns with research findings commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council and National Fire Sprinkler Network, which show:
Southampton City Council’s phased retrofit programme - initiated in June 2017 - targeted its 20 high-rise buildings first, then prioritized scissor-block flats and the tallest single-staircase blocks. This proactive approach is increasingly seen as essential in safeguarding lives and reducing fire risks.
You can read the write up from Sprinkler Saves here: https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/sprinklers-extinguish-fire-in-southampton-tall-building/
Documenting incidents like the Southampton activation is key to advancing sprinkler adoption. Each “save” adds practical, real-world evidence that supports advocacy efforts, helps build confidence among residents and decision-makers, and encourages broader implementation across residential high-rises.
If you’d like to explore how a residential sprinkler system could enhance safety and resilience in your buildings, contact A&F Sprinklers - we’re here to help!
On 12 August 2025, a retrofitted residential sprinkler system in a 15-storey “scissor block” on Irving Road, Southampton, effectively contained, controlled, and extinguished a fire that ignited from textiles left on a cooking hob. The single activated sprinkler head confined the blaze to one room - allowing firefighters to safely enter, extinguish remaining hotspots, and rescue two cats, all without any injuries being reported.
Firefighter Incident Commander Mark Caplen praised the system’s performance:
“The sprinklers… contained the fire to a single room and prevented it from becoming a far more serious incident. The building performed exactly as designed.”
This successful activation demonstrates the tremendous effectiveness and reliability of sprinkler systems, particularly in complex high-rise constructions. The incident underscores why residential sprinklers in tall blocks are vital components of a robust fire safety strategy.
Furthermore, this outcome aligns with research findings commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council and National Fire Sprinkler Network, which show:
Southampton City Council’s phased retrofit programme - initiated in June 2017 - targeted its 20 high-rise buildings first, then prioritized scissor-block flats and the tallest single-staircase blocks. This proactive approach is increasingly seen as essential in safeguarding lives and reducing fire risks.
You can read the write up from Sprinkler Saves here: https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/sprinklers-extinguish-fire-in-southampton-tall-building/
Documenting incidents like the Southampton activation is key to advancing sprinkler adoption. Each “save” adds practical, real-world evidence that supports advocacy efforts, helps build confidence among residents and decision-makers, and encourages broader implementation across residential high-rises.
If you’d like to explore how a residential sprinkler system could enhance safety and resilience in your buildings, contact A&F Sprinklers - we’re here to help!
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