On Saturday May 20 at 1818 hours (6:18 p.m.), the MAVFC was dispatched for a fire out investigation in the 400 block of Saddleback Trail in the Sterling Glen section of town. Upon arrival of E12 and Deputy Chief Kenny Stull, it was found that a candle had been accidentally left burning on a coffee table in the living area of the home. The candle burned down and ignited the coffee table, carpet, and the front of the couch. After only a very short burn time, the nearby sprinkler head on the cathedral ceiling activated and extinguished the fire. When the homeowner discovered the situation, he called the fire department. The fire service units removed the burned coffee table and checked to be sure the fire was out in the couch and carpet. The house was ventilated and utilities checked.
This partcular home is in the first development that was required to have residential sprinklers in single family houses under the law adopted in January of 2003. This is the first fire recorded in a sprinklered home required by the ordinance. The outcome was as expected, a fire extinguished in a very early stage, little smoke and heat damage, and a home saved by residential sprinklers. Only one sprinkler head activated and extinguished the fire. Due to a language barrier, other details of occupants whereabouts and other actions were not obtained.
