Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

According to Oak Park Deputy Fire Chief Scott Bartelt, in 2015 the village adopted an ordinance that now requires fire sprinklers in new construction homes. Since then, approximately 15 to 20 homes in Oak Park have been fitted with a sprinkler system.

As part of a FEMA grant-funded program, the village of Oak Park recently hosted several real estate agents for an educational program on how to sell homes protected by fire sprinklers.

In order to showcase the safety benefits of sprinklers, a basket of newspaper was lit on fire inside a small trailer, which quickly spread to a curtain hanging on the wall. The fire spread around the small room and activated the fire sprinkler system, which fully extinguished the small blaze within minutes.

Village officials used the event as a way to highlight the life-safety benefits of fire sprinklers for potential homebuyers, who still may not be used to seeing them in residences.

thanks Dan

Tags: Deputy Fire Chief Scott Bartelt, fire sprinkler demonstration, Oak Park Fire Department