Police investigating ‘deliberate’ flooding of Penny St high-rise in Adelaide CBD overnight

Pictures have emerged from inside a high-rise CBD apartment complex swamped by water in a deliberate flooding act overnight, when residents were urged to evacuate within 15 minutes.

Residents of a high-rise CBD apartment complex that police say was “deliberately” flooded overnight say they were told to pack a bag and get out in 15 minutes as the water took hold.

Emergency services were called to the Penny Place Apartments, near the Federal Court building in the CBD, at 8.45pm on Saturday after residents reported flooding in the stairwell.

Metropolitan Fire Service crews found several fire hydrants had been turned on, causing flooding throughout the building.

Drenched carpets inside the Penny Place Apartments after a deliberate flooding sabotage. Picture: Supplied

Water is seen pouring through the building. Picture: Supplied

Police said the flooding extended from the 24th floor downwards, causing “extensive damage” to the property, with water pouring down walls and seeping into carpets

“This is being treated as a deliberate act,” police said.

The building remained closed off to all residents on Sunday morning.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Advertiser that residents were still waiting to find out when they would be allowed back into their apartments.

“We were told to pack a bag for a couple of nights over the loudspeaker last night,” she said.

“We had 15 minutes to pack bags and get out. That was around midnight.

“Some of my neighbours reported water seeping up into their carpet.”

The woman said residents understood there was a “clear image” of the person responsible caught on CCTV.

One young couple who returned to the apartment complex overnight said they had tried to get back into the building about 1am, but were turned away.

“We were just told we couldn’t get in,” they said. “They offered to refund our stay in a hotel.”

When the couple returned at 7.45am on Sunday, they were still turned away by a security guard at the door.

The Penny Place apartments in the Adelaide CBD. Picture: Isabel McMillan

Police believe hydrants were deliberately turned on overnight to flood the building. Picture: Supplied

One young healthcare worker who came back from night shift also tried to get back into her home just before 8am, but was told she could not enter.

“Plan B then!” she said.

MFS crews as well as State Emergency Service have mopped up the property, and police Crime Scene Investigators also attended.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Police investigating ‘deliberate’ flooding of Penny St high-rise in Adelaide CBD overnight