Sprinklers save home in 4S Ranch

4S RANCH — At 2:40 a.m. Jan. 22, firefighters from the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, along with firefighters from Poway and San Diego, responded
to a structure fire in the 16000 block of Deer Ridge Road in 4S Ranch. When they arrived on the scene, firefighters found the home to be filled with smoke. Upon further investigation, firefighters discovered a small fire burning in the living room. Three fire sprinklers had activated, keeping the fire from spreading.
The crews were able to quickly extinguish the remaining flames. The residents, who were home at the time, were asleep with the fire broke out and were alerted to the danger by smoke alarms. They were treated on scene for minor smoke inhalation.
“If not for the functioning fire protection systems in the home, the outcome could have been much worse,” Fire Marshal Cliff Hunter said. “The smoke alarms alerted the family and the sprinklers slowed the spread of the fire, allowing them the time necessary to safely evacuate the home.”
The Red Cross is assisting the family with housing. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage is estimated to be around $50,000.