Sprinkler system spares Portland apartment building from serious fire damage

A sprinkler system kept a kitchen fire from spreading inside an apartment building on Weymouth Street in Portland late Friday night, according to the Portland Fire Department.

Firefighters went to 12 Weymouth St. around 10 p.m. when the building's fire alarm system was activated. When fire units arrived they found tenants evacuating the building and smoke coming from the second floor.

Fire officials said an unidentified tenant was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Deputy Chief David Jackson praised the building's owners for installing the sprinkler system. "This could have been a very dangerous fire had it not been for the sprinkler and fire alarm system. The systems worked exactly as they should have, the residents did what they were supposed to and we had a less serious outcome here."

According to information from the Assessor's Office posted on the city of Portland's website, the four-story building is owned by Grantwey Apartments LLC of Saco and contains more than two dozen units.

Investigators said the fire was caused by leaving food unattended on the stove.

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Sprinkler system spares Portland apartment building from serious fire damage