Pipe rupture released asbestos, officials say

A burst steam pipe in front of the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse on New Chardon Street yesterday sent chunks of asphalt flying and released a small amount of asbestos in the area, the Fire Department said.

"When it ruptured, it blew the steam up through the road," said Steve MacDonald, spokesman for the department, adding that asbestos was found in the dust and ashpalt that scattered over a 50-foot diameter area and landed on two cars. He said a hazmat team had been called in last night to begin a slow and deliberate cleanup.

The steam release, the second to hit Boston streets in less than a month, occurred at about 1:37 p.m. It did not cause any injuries but did require a portion of the street to be closed and the evacuation of a three-story apartment building, MacDonald said.

The pipe is owned by Trigen-Boston Energy Corp., which operates a 22-mile network of steam pipes beneath city streets. Nancy Sterling, a spokeswoman for the company, said tests showed that asbestos was not released into the air, but trace amounts were found in dust on the cars and immediate area. She said the asbestos came from material that was wrapped around the pipe.

Globe Correspondent Sarah Metcalf contributed to this report.