Boston Water Main Break: 'Toxic Smoke' Follows Flood, Fire

By Alison Bauter, Patch staff

BOSTON — A major water main break ruptured the pavement and flooded streets in parts of the Theater District near Chinatown Wednesday morning, causing traffic delays and flooding. Soon after came reports of fires smoldering below-ground, and close to 1 p.m. reports emerged of "toxic smoke" pouring onto the street.

Multiple news outlets, including FOX 25 and WBZ, say the smoke is coming from manholes on Kneeland Street.

The original water main break occurred on Washington Street, and flooded the area of Washington and Kneeland, near the Wilbur Theatre and the Chinatown T Station. The Boston Fire Department said the city's water and sewage department was first called to the scene at 5:30 a.m., for what has since been identified as a 20-inch water main break.

The resulting floodwaters seeped into buildings and waterlogged nearby streets, receding hours later.

But as the cleanup efforts began, another problem arose.

A two-alarm fire department response was called to the same cross-street, with reports of smoke and of fire inside manholes there. According to the fire department, "several manholes in the area started smoldering" around 9 a.m. Smoke then leaked into surrounding buildings, the fire department said.

Traffic is being rerouted. Parts of Keeland and Washington streets remains closed to traffic, and police warn that's expected to impact the evening commute. It's advisable for drivers to avoid the Chinatown/Theater District area entirely, if possible, as surrounding streets have reportedly been clogged with traffic.

Additionally, buildings at Stuart and Washington streets, including a hostel, were evacuated, according to the fire department. Firefighters have since been working to douse multiple manhole fires.

No injuries were reported, but fire officials say the smoke sparked elevated carbon monoxide readings, resulting in the evacuation.

More than two hours later, the fire department is keeping an eye on nearby buildings and continuing to blast the impacted manholes with a mixture called "FireIce" extinguishing agent, used instead of water because electric lines in the area are still energized.

Photos courtesy Nancy Chen, WHDH 7News, and Laura Schmidt