Water from a burst fire hose reel pipe on the 11th floor of the Sabah State Administrative Centre (PPNS) flooded both the stairwell and interior corridors, forcing employees to navigate through ankle-deep water.
When a device designed to help people and property is the source of danger, you know you have a problem on your hands.
However, it is said that this is exactly what happened when a water tank burst in the Sabah State Administrative Centre, also known as Menara Kinabalu.
Did this incident occur as claimed?
VERDICT:
FALSE
Rather than a water tank, it was a pipe from the fire hose reel system on the 11th floor of the Sabah State Administrative Centre that burst on Wednesday (April 30).
The incident caused the lift shafts and stairwell to become flooded and affected access to several floors in Block A. Eight staff lifts in the block were reportedly affected by the flooding, leaving only the VIP and cargo lifts operational.
Videos and images of the incident previously went viral on social media, with some users falsely claiming that a water tank had burst on the 33rd floor, trapping staff from the Chief Minister’s Office, which is located on the 32nd floor of Block A.
However, a staff member clarified that these claims were untrue.
“There was no power cut, but the affected lifts were shut down. People had to use the stairs, and many senior staff found it difficult. Even the stairwell was wet and slippery due to the leak. Most of us just decided to go home, even though no official instruction was given,” he said.
The staff member explained that water entered one of the lifts on the 11th floor and was carried to higher floors when the lift moved, spreading the leak further.
No injuries were reported.
Repair works are reportedly underway and may take up to two weeks to complete. No official statement from the building management or authorities has been released as of the time of writing.
