East Sussex Fire & Rescue Highlights How Sprinklers Saved A Food Distribution Warehouse In Hastings In A Major Fire Incident

When a fire broke out, in the early hours, at a food distribution warehouse in Hastings, United Kingdom, an automatic sprinkler system activated and extinguished it, minimizing damage and ensuring that the business would be able to return to operations later that day, with the little disruption caused due to the fire.

East Sussex Fire & Rescue 

On Sunday, October 4th, 2021, at 6 am, fire engines and firefighters from East Sussex Fire & Rescue were called to the A.F. Blakemore and Son food distribution warehouse, located on the Ivyhouse Lane Industrial Estate.

A small fire located in a fan unit had been quickly extinguished by the sprinkler system, in the 90,000 sq. ft warehouse. Had the fire not been contained, it would have caused significant damage to this logistics business, which supplies food products to a network of Spar stores across south-east England.

Importance of sprinkler system

This is a timely reminder to other companies to invest in a sprinkler system, which could protect your business"

Commenting on the fire, a spokesperson from East Sussex Fire & Rescue said “This is a timely reminder to other companies to invest in a sprinkler system, which could protect your business from severe fire damage. A sprinkler system really can make a difference. In 2019, we attended a similar fire locally, which resulted in the total loss of a business, as sprinklers would have made the difference.”

That business was the globally renowned engineering firm, Drallim Industries Ltd., based in St. Leonards, who are now returning to new premises, twenty months after a fire completely destroyed their factory.

The fire incident in February 2019 meant the company had to relocate to temporary facilities. In addition to the loss of business and the disruption across the local community, the fire caused the evacuation of nearby residents and road closures.

Containing fires effectively to minimize damage

“Sprinkler systems are designed to contain a fire, ensuring businesses are often up and running within a short period of time, due to limited damage,” stated the spokesperson for the East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.

As one of the United Kingdom’s renowned family-owned food retailers, A.F. Blakemore and Son has ensured their business is resilient to fire, with sprinklers being a key component in their strategy.

Benefits of sprinklers exceed installation and service costs

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service would like to highlight the importance of such fire safety measures"

The spokesperson for the East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service adds, “East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service would like to highlight the importance of such fire safety measures, as they deliver benefits that far exceed the cost of installation and maintenance.”

The UK Home Office figures show that the fire and rescue service in England has attended 26,800 fires in industrial and commercial buildings, in the past three years. From offices to industrial buildings, healthcare facilities to hotels, the impact of a major fire can be devastating and many businesses never recover.

Sprinkler system helps avoid losses

But the cost of fire in industrial and commercial buildings goes far beyond the expense and impacts on individual businesses and insured costs. Fires are the cause of significant economic, environmental, and community costs, many of which are ultimately borne by the tax payer.

The inclusion of a sprinkler system can prevent major financial and equipment losses, containing what could be a potential major disaster, and turning it into a minor inconvenience. Proven time and again with consistent reliability, it is a small price to pay to prevent a business’ hard earned success from going up in flames.