Paul Hardy of Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue reports that on 27th December a maintenance man driving past Hanmere Polythene in Letchworth, north of London, noticed that the sprinklers were operating. He called the fire brigade which found that someone had broken into the factory while it was closed for Christmas and had started four fires. Eight sprinklers had opened to control all four fires. Damage was slight. Recently the factory, which employs 30 people to make polythene bags, had invested £1 million in four new machines.

Paul writes, "There is no doubt in our minds that the sprinkler system saved this factory from serious damage and possible total loss." It also saved the employment of 30 people.