Burst Sprinkler Pipe At Jamaica Plain Shelter Displaces 50 People

BOSTON (CBS) -- Public safety officials evacuated about 50 people from a building in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of the city Saturday night after a broken pipe sent water pouring through the structure, the Fire Department reported.

At 6:09 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to 82 Green St. in Jamaica Plain for a water leak in the three-story building, which is run by the Pine Street Inn homeless shelter. A sprinkler pipe on the third floor burst, causing water damage to the entire building, according to the Fire Department.

Although the water leak was stopped, utilities in the building had to be turned off, leading to the evacuation of all 50 guests.

EMS and building staff escorted the guests to two waiting MBTA buses, and the guests were expected to stay in hotels for at least one night, the Fire Department reported.

Over the past 48 hours, Boston firefighters have responded to more than 75 water leak incidents, fire officials said, adding the extreme cold was the cause of the damaged plumbing.