On 13 August 2025 at 9:13 am, a call was made to the fire service after an electrical fire broke out in a child’s bedroom in a timber-frame home occupied by a lone parent and their dependants. The fire was caused by a faulty electric fuel supply, which first ignited the bed and mattress.
Thanks to the rapid activation of an iMist™ Fire Suppression System, the blaze was confined to the bedroom, allowing the family to evacuate safely. The fire brigade mobilised at 9:20 am and arrived on scene at 9:34 am with two appliances, but by that time the fire had already been contained. All occupants escaped unharmed, and the rest of the house remained protected, demonstrating how effective early fire suppression can be in safeguarding lives and property in occupied homes.
“The safety and well-being of residents is always our top priority,” said Alex Pollard, Operations Director at iMist™ Fire Suppression. “The iMist™ system not only allowed the family to escape safely but fully extinguished the fire, saving lives and protecting property with minimal disruption.”
The council initially believed the system had not activated due to the near absence of water damage. This highlights one of the iMist™ system’s key advantages: it uses up to 80% less water than conventional sprinkler systems while still providing rapid and effective fire suppression.
Electrical fires are among the most common causes of domestic incidents in the UK, making early detection and rapid suppression critical to protecting families. According to House Fire Statistics (2024):
Water-mist systems like iMist™ minimise post-fire water damage, reducing renovation costs by
up to 70% compared to traditional sprinklers.
The system is suitable for retrofitting into existing homes, not just new builds.
Rapid activation of iMist™ typically reduces fire spread by over 60% within the first 5 minutes.
Fire suppression systems can reduce fire-related fatalities by up to 87% and property
damage by up to 67% (NFCC/US Fire Administration).
Electrical fires remain one of the most common causes of domestic incidents in the UK, with more than
20,000 reported annually according to house fire statistics. Kitchens and bedrooms are particularly
high-risk areas, making early detection and suppression critical in protecting families. iMist™ goes above
and beyond British Standard requirements by recommending a normally open Priority Demand Valve
(PDV), ensuring the pump receives the full demand of the property during activation. While a standard
10-minute run time would have allowed safe evacuation, the iMist™ system’s 30-minute standard run
time completely extinguished the fire within these high-risk spaces.
The incident reaffirmed the importance of advanced suppression systems in protecting vulnerable
residents, particularly in high-density housing where fire spread can be rapid. The iMist™ system not only
protected the family involved but also safeguarded neighbouring properties by confining the blaze to one
room. Local authorities, housing providers, and developers increasingly see fire suppression systems as
essential to future-proofing homes, and this case offers a clear, real-world example of how innovative fire
safety technology can save lives.
The iMist™ Fire Suppression System is engineered to detect and suppress fires swiftly, reducing the risk
of injury and property damage. Its advanced technology makes it a trusted solution for domestic and
residential settings, providing peace of mind and enhanced safety for occupants.
