Two Christchurch house fires within an hour of each other have given a graphic demonstration of the value of home sprinklers.

A kitchen fire in a central Christchurch flat on April 14 was stopped in its tracks by a home sprinkler, saving a young girl from injury or death after she apparently accidentally set a chair alight.

The sprinkler was installed by Christchurch City Council, who own the flat. Within an hour a Harewood home was in ruins after a kitchen fire there went unchecked until firefighters arrived.

The fire was put down to unattended cooking.

Transalpine assistant fire region commander Mark Chubb said the two fires showed the difference home sprinklers make.

'Fires grow much quicker than most people expect,
but fires can't outrun sprinklers.'

In the council flat, firefighters had little to do beyond mopping up the kitchen, and Mr Chubb said damage in the other house could have been limited to the stove had the house been fitted with home sprinklers.