Burst water pipe and false fire alarm create panic in JLT

A water mains burst yesterday in one of the high-rise buildings of Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) and residents were evacuated. However, the evacuation was blamed on a false fire alarm.

On Saturday night, a little before midnight, residents of the 44-stories Lake Shore Apartments  were confronted with a fire alarm and a lot of water running through the building.

“A main drinking water pipe burst,” confirms Edward Sanders, CEO of the maintenance company Place, that provides maintenance in the common area.

Although water flooding as a result of a pipe burst are a combination of unfortunate events, it is not a life threatening situation, said Sanders.

“The fire alarm did not go off in response to the pipe burst or a fire, and there would normally not be an evacuation in response to such situation.”

Rather, the fire alarm had been activated by a person to his own amusement, says Edward.

The person in question had been drinking and was questioned by the police.

“The fault behind the water pipe burst is yet to be fully confirmed, but at this point but appears to have been a flange where two pipes join.

“No leakage was evident before the burst and proper maintenance work was in place. There is some speculation about the cause of the burst, but this is rather sensational and not grounded in professional research. We will be able to disclose more information once investigation has been carried out,” says Edward.

The incident caused panic as forces of Civil Defence were mobilised in response to the fire alarm. Residents occupying higher floors feared they were trapped.

“We do have evacuation plans in place, but in this situation, evacuation was not necessary,” Sanders said.

Residents have returned to their apartments and the water supply has been restored.

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