KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – A fire inside a second-floor office at a commercial building on Avon Street in Keene was extinguished by the building’s automatic sprinkler system Friday afternoon, preventing the flames from spreading beyond the room where the fire started.

The Keene Fire Department was called to 40 Avon Street, the home of Monadnock Family Services and Antioch University, at approximately 1:04 p.m. October 2 for a commercial fire alarm. The initial alarm was triggered by a duct smoke detector.

Firefighters encountered an activated sprinkler system and moderate smoke conditions on both the first and second floors.

Because of those conditions, the Shift Commander requested the remainder of the department’s commercial/mid-rise structure fire assignment, bringing additional engines, ladder companies, specialized resources and command personnel to the scene.

Firefighters located the fire inside an office on the building’s second floor. The automatic sprinkler system had activated and extinguished the fire before crews reached the area.

According to the fire department, the sprinkler system prevented the fire from extending beyond the room of origin.

The two-story building, owned by Monadnock Community Services Center, Inc., was constructed in 1990 and contains approximately 90,000 square feet of floor space.

While the fire itself was contained, smoke and odors spread through portions of the building via the HVAC system. The sprinkler activation also caused significant water accumulation in office areas below the fire.

Once firefighters confirmed the fire was out, operations shifted to ventilation, salvage and overhaul. Crews worked to minimize additional damage by protecting electronics, furnishings and other sensitive materials from the water.

After the Fire Department completed its operations, the building was turned back over to the property owner. Restoration crews were contacted to begin water removal, salvage work and necessary repairs.

There were no injuries reported.

The Keene Fire Department said preliminary estimates place the property damage at more than $100,000, although the final loss could be substantially higher as the extent of the smoke and water damage is assessed.

The fire department highlighted the role of automatic sprinkler systems in commercial buildings, noting that the system in this incident confined and extinguished the fire before it could spread beyond the immediate area.

A total of 21 Keene firefighters were assigned to the incident, along with 21 mutual-aid personnel. Mutual-aid departments responding to the scene included Cheshire County Ambulance, Swanzey, Jaffrey, Rockingham and Brattleboro. Additional departments provided coverage while Keene crews were committed to the fire, including Walpole, Chesterfield, Westminster, Peterborough, Spofford and Surry.

The fire was reported under control at 2:12 p.m., and all Keene units returned to quarters by approximately 3:07 p.m.

The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation by the Keene Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office.