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Broken Water Pipe Closes Bowdoin Street In Boston

BOSTON (CBS) -- A broken water pipe on Bowdoin Street on Saturday sent water gushing down the street, affecting businesses and the McCormack Federal Building.

"It was like a big bubbling effect," said John Marano of the Grotto Restaurant.

While Boston Water and Sewer officials said the cause of the break was unclear, water pipes have been bursting throughout Greater Boston because of the bitter cold temperatures that followed winter storm Hercules on Thursday and Friday.

Part of Bowdoin Street collapsed from erosion linked to the broken pipe, which provides water for the sprinkler system at the federal building, Boston Water and Sewer officials said.

"Water comes out and washes away a lot of dirt and causes the street to collapse," said Danielle Domingos of Boston Water and Sewer.

With the broken pipe only servicing the federal building, residents and businesses in the area should not experience any loss of water, Domingos said.

But with Bowdoin Street closed, Grotto chef Harold Gallardo said his business will definitely be impacted. "We are going to be shut down tonight," he said. "It's very frustrating for us."

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