Fire at Siemens Building
I was attending a workshop at Siemens early this week when the fire alarm went off during the session. At first, everybody just looked at each other then we continue with whatever we’re doing. When the second alarm sounded, we got irritated and wondered whose practical joke was that. Someone did mention that maybe it was a fire alarm. We pondered for a while and then go ‘Nah…‘
When an announcement through the PA system informed us of a fire and asking us to evacuate in an orderly fashion, we immediately paid attention. Then we started beaming with excitement. A real fire! Oh Boy!
Someone from Siemens who is incharge of evacuation came to our room and asked us to leave. I hesitated to leave my notebook and coffee behind. I have no insurance for my notebook and the pantry has cleaned up the coffee jug. Oh well, maybe my life is worth something. Let’s go.
We made our way out of the building in an orderly fashion. There were excitement and amusement in everybody’s conversation. Outside the building, we were herded to an open space next to the building. Quite a big crowd there.
As you can see from the picture above, some were worried while others seem pretty cheery. Maybe because they got to skip work. We were not allowed to leave the compound because the authorities needed to ensure everyone is accounted for.
I haven’t seen or smell any fire or smoke while inside and outside the building. But when I looked up, this is what I saw.
Dark brown smoke was coming out of the 3rd or 4th floor window. Since it didn’t smell anything like barbecue smoke, I assumed no one was caught in the fire.
More smoke coming out. By this time, the crowd got really excited. Wonder why. Maybe they’ve never seen a building on fire before; which explains this guy…
You have to admit. This is a good opportunity to take pictures. Maybe he’s taking it for his blog. Or maybe he thought of selling it to the newspapers. But then again, The Star Papers head office is just next door…
Others called friends and family to inform them of the event. I even noticed some started to light up their cigarettes. If they need to smoke, can’t they just go in there and inhale all they want? It’s free and kills their lungs the same way anyway.
The ambulance was there. Not sure if anybody got hurt. But since it’s just parked there, I would assume it’s precautionary.
There were 2 firetrucks and the ground was all wet. And of course you have the complimentary spectators hanging around.
The whole thing lasted for around an hour. All this while I was regretting not taking my notebook out with me. I could have hopped over to the next building and gone online while waiting it out. I’ve got lots of blogs to read you know.
We finally got back into the building. My notebook and coffee is still there but the coffee is now cold. Dammit. All those fire failed to keep it warm. All these reports of fire burning things up is highly exaggerated if you ask me.
We continue on with our workshop as if nothing happened. Then another guy came in and congratulate us on a job well done.
“Thank you for participating in our fire drill.”
One of these days, someone is gonna burn that building down for real… @#$%$@
June 24th, 2006 at 5:52 am
Great story! But I can out story you!
I work on the 6th floor of a 6 story building. I was warned that there would be a fire drill. I was pissed off, it meant that my class was going to be disruppted, worse, the students would leave and not come back!
Sure enough, 10am off goes the fire alarm. I explain that it is only a ’stage one’ and there is no need to panic. Even though the flashing strobes and honking horn make this a somewhat difficult prospect.
The alarm changes to ’stage 2′ which is rapid beeps, and the anonymous voice from the ceiling tells us that ’stage 2′ has been started.
It is time to get all of my students out. Following the ‘Fire procedure’ I check the restrooms, make sure I have all of my charges and we trek down the 6 floors to the outside.
Once I see the outside world, i am confused. There are at least 500 people in the building, but there are maybe 40 people outside! There is no smoke, there are no emergency vehicles, there is no one looking the least bit concerned!
Another member of staff came up and gave me the good news “oh, that was just a trial run, the guys in security screwed up”. You can take your students back up to the 6th floor.
Grumbling, I did. Not 10 mins later, off the alarms go again! This time tho, a member of staff rushes in and shouts “This is a fire drill, everyone needs to leave the building”.
I can only hope that should there be a real fire, someone will announce the fact over the intercom system!