Flooding from Chinatown water main break sparks manhole fires

A water main break early Wednesday morning flooded streets in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood, triggering several fires in nearby manholes, The Boston Globe reports.

The break at the intersection of Washington and Kneeland streets was first reported to the city’s Water and Sewer Commission around 5:15 a.m. and officials finally shut off the water flow about three hours later, according to the Globe.

The Globe reports the flooding triggered several fires in manholes at about 9:30 a.m.

Photos posted to social media showed pedestrians, businesses, and residents in the area navigating the flooded streets and sidewalks.

A section of Kneeland Street on the edge of Chinatown is flooded because of a major water main break on Washington pic.twitter.com/hA9YO6ygNC

— Carl Stevens (@carlwbz) November 30, 2016

This is Kneeland Street, after a water main break on Washington earlier this morning pic.twitter.com/i9Yv1UWU9c

— Carl Stevens (@carlwbz) November 30, 2016

Dunkin Donuts employee steps into the water of William Street to deliver coffee to s grateful customer pic.twitter.com/EvK5F7vCqd

— Carl Stevens (@carlwbz) November 30, 2016

a little bit of venice in chinatown. water main at stuart and washington. cc: @universalhub pic.twitter.com/xD1yAFJ55C

— rob c (@rcolonna) November 30, 2016

Watermain break in Chinatown. Washington and side streets shut down. pic.twitter.com/xdqwcfFCKo

— Sera Congi (@seracongi) November 30, 2016

Water inside Kensington apt bdlg lobby #wcvb pic.twitter.com/tNEUx6bTb1

— Sera Congi (@seracongi) November 30, 2016

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