False alarms go off after pipe bursts in Arlington

ARLINGTON, Va.–Some Arlington residents braved the bitter cold after the freezing temperatures caused a pipe to burst and false fire alarms to go off.
This week a sprinkler system in the garage of the Market Commons apartment building froze and the water expanded, causing the sprinkler pipes to explode.

Arlington County Fire Department Capt. Gregg Karl tells Fox5 the fire alarms sent residents out into the cold in the early morning hours.

“It’s not just residential properties, it’s generally any building that is susceptible to it with a sprinkler system,” he said.

Fox5 reports the sprinkler system’s alarms have been disconnected from 911 to prevent the false alarms. Until the problem can be fixed, apartment staff are walking around the building on fire watch.

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