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As if the CoronaVirus wasn’t enough trouble for Boston businesses, a water main broke flooding several galleries and businesses on and near 500 Harrison Avenue on Boston’s South End after 9:00pm. When the 30-inch main gave way, it collapsed part of the street and buckling it in several places. Submerged cars had water up to the tops of their hoods and roofs and had to be towed. One vehicle had to be pulled out of a sinkhole created by the broken main. Many of the businesses were flooded with up to 5 feet of water. The break is being blamed on the water main having higher pressure than it normally has.
One of the businesses affected was the Meichi Peng Design Studio, an interior design company. With 5 feet of water rushing into the building, computers and other electronics sitting on top of desks were damaged, along with sketches, drawings, antique furniture, and valuable paintings.
The owner, Meichi Peng, was in the building on a video conference call at the time of the flooding but could do nothing to save equipment or anything else. As a matter of fact, she had to be assisted in evacuating the office by Boston firefighters who responded to the emergency water main break call.
“It’s like a giant swimming pool”, Ms. Peng said.
Several other galleries in the area suffered extensive damage to artwork along with their retail establishments. Along with the water, a layer of mud was also washed into several of the businesses, complicating cleanup efforts. Building basements were flooded and the power went out.
With the loss of power and the water system shut off, tenants living in the apartments above the businesses were also evacuated. While power and water service was later restored, it will be some time before the total amount of damage can be assessed and repairs can begin.
One point to remember if you are ever in a similar situation is that mold can start to grow in less than 48 hours, especially when other contaminants are brought in along with the water. You need to respond quickly by beginning restoration procedures as soon as authorities say it is safe to do so.
Water Mold Fire Restoration of Boston can come to your assistance for any type of water emergency, at your home or at your place of business. It doesn’t matter whether that emergency happens early in the morning or late into the night, we answer our phones 24/7. We can handle any size job, large or small. Call us at (617) 701-7868 and our courteous emergency technicians can be there in one hour or less. As always, our initial inspection and estimate of repairs are always free of charge.
