Officials say upgraded safety measures helped contain Lansdale blaze in under 40 minutes, allowing business to reopen same day
A commercial fire at Clemens Uniform Rental early Thursday morning in Lansdale Borough was quickly contained thanks in large part to a fire suppression system installed after a devastating blaze at the same location nearly a decade ago, borough officials said.
According to Lansdale Communications Coordinator Tracy Flynn, the fire — reported shortly after midnight at the West Fifth Street facility — was brought under control in less than 40 minutes with no injuries and minimal damage.
That marks a stark contrast to a June 2016 fire at the same property, which burned for more than four hours before crews were able to contain it.
Borough officials said the difference came down to one key factor: the building’s sprinkler system.
The system activated immediately in the area of the fire, with just two sprinkler heads engaging and holding the flames in check until firefighters arrived.
“We’re incredibly impressed with how the system worked and kept the fire under control while limiting damage,” said Clemens Uniform owner Randy Clemens. “We’re grateful to all of the first responders whose efforts made it possible for us to open the same day of the fire so that we are able to serve our customers.”
Firefighters from multiple departments across the North Penn region responded to the incident, where flames were reported in the middle of the building and near a loading dock area. Crews established command quickly and were able to confine the fire to the interior of the structure.
Lansdale Fire Marshal Rick Lesniak said the outcome could have been far worse without the suppression system in place.
“Fire suppression systems are designed to activate in the earliest stages of a fire, controlling or even extinguishing it before it can spread,” Lesniak said. “In the case of Clemens Uniforms fire, the system performed exactly as intended. Without it, this situation would have been far more severe, potentially resulting in significant structural damage and longer business interruption.”
Officials said the incident highlights the importance of fire prevention measures, including properly installed suppression systems, regular inspections, and adherence to fire codes.
The borough commended Clemens Uniforms for maintaining those safeguards, noting the business was able to resume operations the same day — an outcome that underscores how critical proactive safety investments can be in protecting both property and livelihoods.
