Sprinklers extinguish fire in Herefordshire Cafe

Summary

In April 2026, a minor fire incident occurred at a café situated within a shopping centre in Herefordshire. The fire and rescue service were mobilised following notification of a confirmed fire by the alarm receiving centre. 35 years after staying dormant the building’s sprinkler system activated promptly, containing, controlling, and extinguishing the fire within the affected compartment of origin before the arrival of the Fire and Rescue Service

The incident.

• The alarm was raised by the activation of the premises automatic fire detection system shortly followed by the activation of the building sprinkler system.
• On arrival the incident commander identified.

1. Smoke logging present within the premises retail unit.
2. The fire had been extinguished by the activation of one sprinkler head located above the seat of the fire.

• Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were deployed to conduct salvage operations, managing water discharge from the activated sprinkler head until the isolation valve was isolated.

1. Isolating the flow of water discharged from the sprinkler head using a salvage sheet.
2. Enquiries are ongoing to identify the cause of the fire.

This event highlights and further emphasizes the advantages of sprinklers for UK businesses

• Prevents major financial and equipment losses.
• Offer business owners technology which reduces risk to life and degree of damage caused in the event of a fire.
• Increase resilience to fire incidents controlling/extinguishing a fire before the arrival of the FRS.
• Reduce the impact from fire on business allowing the business to be back up and running within a short period of time.

Importance of Management

• It Is paramount ensuring the premises fire safety systems are operable in the event of a fire including sprinklers, fire alarm system, dry/wet risers, smoke extraction units and fire curtains.
• To highlight this, London Fire Brigade published an open letter in 2020, to those responsible for fire safety in shopping centres. Highlighting the importance of maintaining fire safety systems including the premises sprinkler system

 Conclusion

• This incident illustrates the proven effectiveness of automatic fire sprinklers in containing and controlling fires, limiting fire growth, and, in this case, extinguishing the fire before the arrival of the fire service preventing fire spread beyond the compartment of origin compromising other businesses.
• Demonstrating the benefits of sprinklers for firefighter safety, business continuity.

For change, increasing the presence of sprinklers in the built environment we need the evidence, to conduct effective advocacy and policy lobbying.

• If you have knowledge of a sprinkler incident that may contribute to this initiative, please provide the pertinent details using the sprinkler activation reporting form available at www.sprinklersaves.co.uk.
• My thanks to Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service for reporting this incident, it makes a difference.

Further guidance

• BAFSA, Sprinkler Saves Annual Review
• LFB; Open letter to shopping centre managers
• Sprinklers ensure resilience for business (Government Business)
• Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service Sprinklers