The burst sewage pipe in Argana Alta, Arrecife, has caused a fountain several metres high and flooding in two buildings. Firefighters acted during the night.
A malfunction in the sewage network caused a spectacular leak of sewage water in the Argana Alta neighbourhood of Arrecife early this morning. The pipe burst, which occurred on Tajaraste Street, generated a jet of water that reached several metres in height due to the pressure in the line.
The incident occurred around 1:00 AM, when the Lanzarote and La Graciosa Security and Emergency Consortium received the alert. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene, where they found that the wind had dispersed the water, affecting the rooftops of two nearby buildings.
Once the pipe lost pressure, the firefighters were able to access the roof of the building located at number 12 Campoamor Street. There, they found that water was descending through the stairwell because the downpipes were blocked by solid debris carried by the sewage water.
The firefighters proceeded to remove the covers from the downpipes to facilitate the drainage of the water accumulated on the roof. This manoeuvre allowed them to pump out the water and prevent it from continuing to seep into the building.
Subsequently, the firefighters inspected the affected homes. Most had a small amount of water inside, although a home located on Folías Street suffered water entering its cistern, which was the most significant incident detected during the inspection.
After completing the emergency work, the local police of Arrecife remained in the area managing assistance for the affected residents. The officers tried to locate temporary accommodation for those who needed it, while workers proceeded to cordon off the area to ensure safety.
The Security and Emergency Consortium has reminded the importance of maintaining the sewage networks in good condition to avoid such incidents, which can be exacerbated by the accumulation of solid waste in the downpipes.
Residents in the area have expressed their concern about the state of the pipes, as this is not the first time a similar malfunction has occurred in the neighbourhood. The Arrecife City Council has not yet commented on possible measures to prevent future bursts.
The malfunction was repaired during the morning of this Thursday, and the water supply in the area has been restored normally. The firefighters concluded their intervention after 4:00 AM, after ensuring that there were no remaining risks for residents.
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