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Major Water Main Break Makes For Messy Midtown

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May 19, 2008 7:39 pm US/Eastern

Major Water Main Break Makes For Messy Midtown

Officials Close Several Streets, Divert Multiple Bus Lines

NEW YORK (CBS) ―

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A large water main break in midtown Manhattan caused officials to close off several streets, divert multiple bus routes, and evacuate two buildings. A second water main break just several blocks away occurred hours later.

The first break occurred at 57th Street near 5th Avenue around 8:10 a.m.

At least two buildings were evacuated as a precaution after officials found cracks in the basement of the Fortunoff building at 3 W. 57th St., and a possible steam leak near 7 W. 57th St.

Con Ed has shut down the steam pipe as a precaution as well.

New York City's Department of Environmental Protection says about seven buildings were without water following the rupture of the 20-inch pipe, which was more than 80 years old.

The Fire Department, did declare, however, that nearby buildings were stable.

DEP spokeswoman Mercedes Padilla says a ground sample for asbestos came up positive -- requiring a cleanup before the water main break could be fixed.

Officials have closed 57th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, and several bus lines are delayed or have been diverted. The lines that were diverted are the M-30, 31, and 57. The M-1, 2, 3, 4 and the Q-32 were experiencing delays.

Later in the afternoon, a second break occurred on 54th Street at Park Avenue. Water from the break flooded the basement of a building at 406 Park Ave.

Officials shut down the water flow and closed off 54th between Park and Madison avenues.

Westbound 57th Street was expected to remain closed off throughout most of the evening.

Stay with wcbstv.com and CBS 2 for the latest in this developing story.

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