The effectiveness of domestic sprinkler systems was demonstrated to dramatic effect last week, thanks to a collaboration between the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service and Douglas Borough Council.

Two Council-owned properties on Hazel Crescent, Pulrose, scheduled for demolition as part of the Upper Pulrose redevelopment scheme, were used for the live demonstration on Thursday 8th October.

The demonstration was organised in conjunction with the building control section of the Department of Local Government and the Environment, demolition contractor JCK Limited and the Homesafe Group, which supplied and installed the sprinklers.

Identical fires were set in the living room of each property, but only one had had a sprinkler system fitted in order to show the contrast between 'checked' and 'unchecked' fire damage.

The fire in the second property was left to develop until such time as intervention by the Fire and Rescue Service could realistically be expected and caused extensive damage throughout the property.

Council leader David Christian, who watched along with fellow councillors and chief officers, said, "It was alarming to witness how quickly the fire took hold to such devastating and life-threatening effect.

"The living room and much of the rest of the house was all but destroyed and rendered uninhabitable.

"This demonstration is a salutary lesson in domestic fire safety and I would urge every one of our tenants to follow the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service’s fire safety advice to fit smoke alarms on each level of their home and test them once a week.

"The Council is pleased to have been able to facilitate this live demonstration and is indebted to the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service for illustrating the system’s effectiveness so graphically.

"I will now be inviting the Fire Service to make a presentation to full Council with the intention of determining future policy."

The Council’s co-operation in the demonstration was acknowledged by the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service’s chief fire officer Brian Draper and assistant divisional officer John Murtagh.

Pictured: Council leader David Christian with Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Divisional Officer John Murtagh in the burnt-out living room of number Number 7, Hazel Crescent.