Water pipe bursts at state Capitol
SPRINGFIELD — Dozens of state workers and media will be temporarily out of their offices in the Capitol because a water pipe burst on the building's west side, allowing water to pour in for 40 minutes before it was stopped.
The pipe burst at 11 p.m. Thursday, said state spokesman Dave Blanchette. The cause is not yet known.
The west side of the building includes offices for Republican staff, the press room and the state treasurer's office.
The offices will be relocated temporarily until the damage can be assessed and fixed. Fans and dehumidifiers will be running until at least Tuesday, Blanchette said.
Early Friday, dozens of state employees were assessing the damage and figuring out where to work for the day. Since Monday is Martin Luther King Day, a state holiday, many state workers would be off that day anyway.
Melissa Hahn, a spokeswoman for the treasurer's office, said the carpet is wet, as are some phones and computers.
But, she said, there won't be an interruption in services. “The public will have no idea,” Hahn said.
No damage estimate is yet available.