Sprinkler System Activates in 6-Story Mixed-Use Building

Crews were called to a fire at a Madison complex on Monday evening around 9:30pm.

Firefighters on Engine 3 responded to The Standard Madison apartment complex (1868 E. Washington Ave.), a mixed-use building. 911 was simultaneously alerted when the alarm monitoring company called in a water flow alarm and a resident said a fire alarm was sounding throughout the complex. It was upgraded to a full fire response after noticing heavy smoke coming from a bar that was under construction. They made entry and found a sprinkler was activated. Firefighters used a water can to complete extinguishment of the fire.

The building has businesses on the first level with apartments above.

It shows the importance of a working sprinkler system, even when a business is under construction.

"The sprinkler system did its job. The sprinkler head closest to the fire activated, contained the fire to the area of origin, notified the occupants of the building through the fire alarm system and notified Dane County 911 whom dispatched Madison Fire to the scene for final extinguishment and clean up." said Fire Marshal Bill Sullivan.

The fire was caused by spontaneous combustion by improperly disposing of oil and stain-soaked clothing. No residents were displaced, and the other businesses were able to open as scheduled.