Pole practice sends sprinkler water through two Houston apartments

A home pole-dancing session in west Houston ended with water blasting from a fire sprinkler and damage in two apartments, according to UPI.

Asha Gilbert said she was recording herself practicing on July 6 when the pole she had installed in her apartment came loose from the ceiling and hit a sprinkler head, UPI reported. Video posted to Instagram shows water pouring from the sprinkler as the room is soaked.

Gilbert told KTRK-TV that the moment left her stunned. “Immediately, I'm in shock because I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, this cannot be happening to me,'” she said.

The mishap affected Gilbert’s apartment and the unit of a neighbor, according to UPI. Gilbert said she had put up the pole only three days before the accident.

A new pole, one very bad angle

Gilbert told KTRK-TV she had considered other possible risks from the equipment, but the sprinkler was not on her list.

“It wasn't even a thought that it could possibly hit the sprinkler,” Gilbert said. “We were more worried about it hitting a wall.”

The clip, which UPI linked from Gilbert’s Instagram, shows the sprinkler releasing a heavy spray inside the apartment after the pole shifts. UPI reported that the water then affected a neighbor’s apartment as well.

Gilbert said the damage ruined her furniture and forced her to relocate to another unit, according to UPI.

The neighbor took it well

Gilbert told KTRK-TV that she spoke with her downstairs neighbor after the water damage. She said the neighbor responded calmly after hearing what happened.

“I explained everything, and she was very, very cool and understanding, and I appreciated that,” Gilbert said.

The incident has also changed Gilbert’s plans for practicing at home. She told KTRK-TV she will not continue pole dancing in her apartment.

UPI reported the story July 15 as part of its Odd News coverage.

This story draws on original reporting from UPI.