Burst Pipe in Boston High-Rise forces Evacuations

A burst water pipe on the 11th floor of a Boston high-rise apartment building sent hundreds of residents into single-digit temperatures and an emergency shelter.

Fire department officials say the pipe burst in the 28-story Archstone Apartments building in Chinatown just after 10 p.m. on Monday, sending water cascading into apartments, down elevator shafts and stairwells.

Officials think a 6-inch pipe for the building sprinkler system is to blame and the break may have been caused by the cold.

About 400 residents, including those above the 11th floor, were evacuated because the power was shut off. There were no reports of injuries.

MBTA buses took the residents to a shelter at a nearby school.