House fires are common and can devastate families and homes.

Local firefighters have full knowledge of fires and are trained on putting them out. The Redford Township Fire Department gave Local 4's Ruth Spencer a first-hand experience in a house blaze and the challenge of putting it out.

Before the demonstration began, the siding and majority of trees and bushes were removed for safety and environmental purposes.

The fire that was intentionally started in the kitchen quickly spread, but if that home was equipped with an in-home fire sprinkler system, the fire would have been put out in seconds.

"Home sprinklers will minimize damage…they will hold the fire in check, it is a great investment," said Mike Kish of the Farmington Hills Fire Department.

The sprinklers are placed throughout the home, and are designed to go off only in rooms that get hot enough.

The state board that sets the home building code is considering making the sprinkler system mandatory for all new home construction. The residential code would read: AP101 Fire Sprinklers. An approved automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in new one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses in accordance with Section 903.3.1 of the International Building Code.

Installing a home sprinkler system would cost about $200 a square foot in a new home, and about $4 for an existing home.

"Currently, if you have a residential sprinkler system, you'll get between a 15 and 20 percent reduction in your insurance rate, and over years, that adds up to and makes it worth its while," said Keith Lampear of the Birmingham Fire Department.

For more information on fire sprinklers, visit the National Fire Sprinkler Association at www.nfsa.org.