Fire at TK Maxx distribution centre contained by sprinkler system

Sprinklers have contained a fire which broke out in a bailing machine at a TK Maxx distribution centre in Staffordshire. The fire broke out at the facility in Chesterton at around 1.20 am on 2 May. When crews arrived in response to the automatic fire alarm, they found that the sprinkler system had activated and contained the fire. 36 people had evacuated the building. Station manager Ian Read said: "By the time we got there the fire had been controlled by the sprinkler system. Firefighters opened up the machine to then fully extinguish the fire and cool the machine. "We also used thermal imaging cameras to check if the fire had spread to the main part of the building. The sprinklers however had done a fantastic job of keeping the fire contained to the machine meaning only that piece of equipment has been fire damaged.” Staff were able to resume work at around 4.30 am. “Had sprinklers not been fitted the chances are further equipment would have been damaged and work would have needed to be halted,” added Mr Read. "There was also the danger of the fire spreading quite rapidly without sprinklers; the machine involved is used to compress cardboard which would catch fire and burn very quickly given the chance.”