Sprinkler pipe bursts at Hampden school

HAMPDEN – A 4-inch sprinkler pipe burst Monday afternoon at Reeds Brook Middle School, depositing about an inch of water on some floors and canceling after-school activities.

A compression elbow on the pipe that runs along a hallway by the band room and cafeteria let go after the formerly frozen pipe warmed, said Hampden Deputy Fire Chief Mike Andersen.

Water flowed along the hallway, into the carpeted band room and cafeteria, with about an inch of water accumulating in the rooms and hallways, Andersen said. The pipe burst at about 1:30 p.m., a short time before the school day ended. Andersen said firefighters were halfway through removing the water when the school buses started to arrive. Maintenance personnel worked during the afternoon using wet vacuums to dry the carpets.