Last night just before 8pm, Firefighters from Cardiff Central and Ely stations were called to a fire at B A Cash and Carry in Hadfield Rd, Cardiff.

When they arrived, the sprinkler system within the building had already activated, limiting the fire to just two sections of high level storage shelves/racking. This was also helped by Firefighters’ quick actions in containing the fire and stopping the fire spread.

Station Manager Dave Morgan carried out the Fire Investigation. He said,
“The fire had been caused by a pallet of disposable cigarette lighters that had fallen from the top shelves and had self ignited on impact with the floor. This took place right in the middle of the building, which could have had disastrous consequences.“

“It is safe to say that if the sprinkler system had not been in place we would have lost the entire building and its contents - due to its size and the nature of the combustible materials within.”

Fire Chiefs in South Wales Fire and Rescue Service fully support the concept of sprinklers in buildings, and suggest that the price of installing a sprinkler in this case has saved the owners the cost of the loss of all of the contents of the building.

Dave Morgan concluded, “Sprinklers have proved their worth on this occasion and I would advise all businesses to install them as it will be worth it in the long run.”

South Wales Fire Safety department can provide businesses with advice on making their buildings safer from fire. There are offices in Cardiff (01443 232500) and Merthyr (01443 232713) or more information is available on the website: www.southwales-fire.gov.uk