A fire that broke out at an Oak Harbor nursing home Thursday evening could have been much worse had it not been for an overhead sprinkler system.

According to Oak Harbor Fire Department Chief Mark Soptich, the system activated after detecting smoke in a supply room at Whidbey Island Manor. The sprinkler head doused the flames with up to 125 gallons water, which was enough to keep the small fire under control until firefighters and other emergency responders could arrive.

“It worked just like it was supposed to,” Soptich said.

The fire department received the 911 call at about 9:20 p.m. The fire started on a linen shelf and caused no more than $1,000 in damages. There are no signs of arson, Soptich said. However, he confirmed that an investigation is under way to determine its cause.

Including assistance rendered from Navy Region Northwest Fire and Emergency Service, a total of three engines, a ladder truck, support vehicles and about 19 associated personnel responded to the fire.