Sprinkler Activation Leads to Evacuation of 100 Residents of Housing Facility

Approximately 100 residents were evacuated from a permanent supportive housing facility late Tuesday night after a sprinkler pipe allegedly broke, causing significant water damage and a power outage, according to Pasadena Fire Department spokesperson Lisa Derderian,

Pasadena Fire crews reportedly responded to the incident at 235 East Holly Street around 8:30 p.m. and found that the fire sprinklers had been activated on the fourth floor, Derderian said.

Although crews were able to quickly turn off the water flow, residual water in the sprinkler system allegedly continued to flow for nearly an hour, causing water damage to units on the fourth, third, and second floors, said Derderian.

In addition to the water damage, power was reportedly out in the entire building.

Pasadena Water and Power determined that power was coming to the building, indicating it was not a City issue.

City officials developed a plan to evacuate and house up to 100 residents due to the water damage and uncertainty regarding the extent and timing of the power outage, Derderian said.

According to Derderian upon further investigation it was revealed that the power outage occurred approximately 10 minutes before the sprinklers were activated due to a fire in a fourth-floor residence.
The Fire Department’s Arson Investigator responded to assist with the investigation.

By 11:30 p.m., power was restored to the building, and the Red Cross assisted with temporary housing needs for around 20 residents, Derderian said.

The unit impacted by the fire was allegedly red-tagged, and the building manager was tasked with finding a commercial cleanup company to address the water damage, Derderian said.

According to Derderian Fire, Building Officials, and Health inspectors are scheduled to meet Wednesday to determine the next steps in the aftermath of the incident.