Eldersburg- Sykesville Firefighters were alerted for a reported basement fire in the 1200blk of Heathfield Rd today at 12:50pm. The homeowner came home to find water coming from the front of his house along with smoke and flames visible from a basement window. When firefighters arrived, they found light smoke coming from the front of a middle of the group townhouse along with fire and smoke visible via the basement window. Upon entering the home, it was learned that the residential sprinklers had been activated and there was fire coming from a dryer in the basement.

Other than water and smoke damage to the basement, the house and all of its contents were saved. It was apparent that the cause of the fire was electrical in nature from the dryer.

If it were not for the residential sprinklers being in place and confining the fire to its origin, considerable damage would have been done to not only the home but most likely the adjoining homes as well in this mid week, middle of the day fire.

The Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department strongly supports the residential sprinkler ordinance and it is once again apparent that sprinklers save lives and property.