Pipe Bursts At Reading Senior Living Facility, Displacing 66: Police

READING, MA — More than sixty people who live at a senior care facility in Reading are displaced due to a burst pipe, police Chief David Clark said.

Officers and firefighters received a call around 11:50 a.m. Monday saying that a pipe had burst inside the Residence at Pearl Street that houses seniors in need of assisted living and memory care, and that water was pouring into an electrical box.

Responding crews were able to get everyone evacuated from 75 Pearl Street and safe, and Clark said there were no injuries to report.

However, the pipe caused officials to cut the power to the building.

"I commend the quick work by the members of Reading Police and Reading Fire in responding to this incident, ensuring no one was hurt as a result," Clark said in a statement.

Members of the staff had to notify family members of residents to help find alternative living situations for those who have not been picked up already.

"Some are going to go with families. Some are going to go to other facilities. And some may go to local hotels with staff to help them," Fire Chief Gregory Burns said.

Some residents will be allowed to stay in the building, Clark added.

It is unclear when the facility will be back up and running, but officials estimate that it will take two to three days just for the equipment to dry out so they can make repairs.