Thousands evacuated from Prudential Center

(NECN: Scot Yount, Boston, Mass.) – Over 60,000 gallons of water poured out of a burst pipe, forcing the evacuation of Boston’s Prudential Tower. Employees all the way up to the 52nd floor were forced to leave. Many walked down steamy stairwells. The pipe streched from the basement to the 51st floor and flooded the second floor and below when it burst, fire officials said. Firefighters punched holes in the first-floor ceiling to help drain the water. One firefighter was taken to a hospital after he slipped and fell on his wrist. Two other people in the building were taken to hospitals for evaluation after having trouble breathing while walking down numerous flights of stairs. Building officials ordered an evacuation late Friday morning after power outages disabled several elevators and air conditioning. The mall and restaurants inside the building are open. The Top of the Hub restaurant will open sometime Saturday. The office tower will remain closed until Monday. Information from the Associated Press is included in this report.