On Friday, September 5, 2026, seventy‑one residents of the Raymond Watkin Apartments on Ballston Avenue in Saratoga Springs were evacuated after a sprinkler system created an electrical hazard. The Saratoga Springs Fire Department responded to the report, determined that the sprinkler activation posed a risk of electrical shock, and ordered the building to be cleared.
Firefighters arrived on scene shortly after the call and began a systematic evacuation of the apartment complex. Residents were instructed to leave their units and gather at a designated assembly point. The department then arranged for the displaced occupants to be taken to the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center, which served as a temporary shelter while the hazard was assessed.
The evacuation was completed without injury, and no reports of fire or water damage were released. Department officials confirmed that the sprinkler’s malfunction triggered an electrical condition that could have endangered occupants if left unaddressed. By moving residents to the recreation center, officials ensured that everyone was kept safe from the potential danger.
The fire department continued to monitor the situation at the Raymond Watkin Apartments after the evacuation. Technicians inspected the sprinkler system and the building’s electrical infrastructure to identify the cause of the malfunction. The department coordinated with building management to secure the premises and to prepare for a safe re‑entry of residents once the hazard was resolved.
The Saratoga Springs Recreation Center, located nearby, provided space for the displaced residents, offering basic amenities while the fire department completed its investigation. Residents were kept informed of the status of the building and were advised to await further instructions before returning to their apartments.
Authorities emphasized that the swift response and the decision to relocate residents were critical in preventing any harm from the electrical hazard associated with the sprinkler activation.