Sprinkler helps prevent fire damage in apartment

A sprinkler system helped avoid fire damage to an apartment at the San Carlos Hotel Monday night.

Yuma Fire Department arrived at the San Carlos Hotel shortly after midnight Monday where a fire was reported on the 5th floor of the hotel.

An investigation revealed the fire had happened in one of the apartments where the fire suppression sprinkler head had activated. Firefighters confirmed the fire was put out.

Fire investigators determined the fire was caused by a discarded cigarette. The fire began and only caused damage to a pile of clothing.

Besides the apartment where the fire happened, some apartments were affected by the water flow of the sprinkler system.

The American Red Cross was called to the scene providing assistance to residents waiting to reoccupy their homes and later provided temporary lodging for the 6 individuals who were not able to return to their apartments until further clean-up could occur.

This is just the latest of 9 sprinkler saves over the last year in Yuma and the second at the San Carlos Hotel.

The previous fire was on July 28th.