Water main break floods 2 Saugus streets

SAUGUS -- An old water main broke early yesterday, leaving about 200 homes and businesses in Cliftondale Square without water until it could be replaced late in the afternoon, officials said.

Four homes and a jewelry store on Lincoln Avenue and Baker Road sustained the most damage, with well over 2 feet of water pouring into backyards, basements, and a garage. Two cars, filled with at least 2 feet of water, were towed from the scene, an owner said.

J & S Jewelry had as much as 7 feet of water in its basement, destroying the electrical system and furnace. ''What a thing to wake up to on Monday morning," owner Saveria Bosak said, standing outside the store.

The 16-inch-diameter pipe burst about 3:30 a.m. behind Sweeter's Corner elderly housing complex, which did not sustain any damage, officials said. The break cut off the water supply to a fire station, but no fires, thefts or injuries were reported. The water main, thought to be at least 90 years old, burst because of its age and condition, town officials said.

KATHY MCCABE