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Sprinklers Help Squelch 2 Tampa Apartment Fires

Tampa Fire Department

Fire Investigator Al Alcala looks at damage done by a grease fire at the Post Rocky Point Apartments, 7253 Gennaker Drive. One of the two fire sprinklers that kept the fire from spreading can be seen in the ceiling.

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 7, 2008

TAMPA - Sprinklers helped save the day for more than 40 Tampa apartments in the past few days, Tampa firefighters say.

On Thursday night, New Tampa Fire Engine 21 was called to a fire at Bridlewood Apartments off Highwoods Preserve Parkway.

A kitchen in a third floor apartment at 18145 Sterling Gate Circle had a small grease fire. A sprinkler head opened, extinguishing the blaze.

The apartment sustained minor damage, and there was some water damage to other apartments, but no one was injured. The damage is estimated to be about $50,000.

"There are an estimated 20 apartments under the same roof in this building; the fire could have quickly spread from the one apartment and damaged several others if not for the fire sprinkler system," Tampa Fire Rescue said in a statement.

In a separate incident shortly after 2 p.m. today, firefighters came to a blaze at Post Rocky Point apartments, 7253 Gennaker Drive.

Firefighters arrived to see that two fire sprinklers had mostly extinguished a small grease fire in a third-floor apartment. The rescuers treated a 24-year-old woman with burns on her face, arms and hands. She was taken to Tampa General Hospital.

"An investigator with the Tampa Fire Marshal's Office determined the apartment occupant, Tarah Plemmons, 24 years old, was cooking grease on the stove top, possibly making french fries, when the grease caught fire," Tampa Fire Rescue said. "It appears Plemmons tried to move the burning pan to the sink but when the burning grease came into contact with water in the sink the grease literally exploded, sending flames towards Plemmons and causing her serious but not life-threatening burns."

Her sister, 22-year-old Brie Plemmons, was at the scene and left the apartment with her.

The apartment had minor damage, along with a second-floor apartment and a garage.

Firefighters estimated the damage at $150,000.

"Once again, there were an estimated 20 apartments under one roof in this building," Tampa Fire Rescue said. "Without the fire sprinkler system, had the fire gotten a head start, there could have been several apartments destroyed and losses would have been in the hundreds of thousands."

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

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