When Pipes Attack: Pipe Burst in the Financial District

A steam pipe burst downtown today. LiveJournal poster bluerose_x reported "amazing amounts of smoke shooting up from the manhole." A Bostonist tipper noted "a questionable brown substance all over a pick-up truck and at least one guy."

That substance likely contains asbestos. WHDH also has video and reports that some people had to be decontaminated because the pipes had asbestos, and the area is covered with debris. Hence, hazmat will be involved.

Myfoxboston had raw aerial footage of the incident, but it looks like a cluster of various city authorities in the middle of the street. They also announce a traffic alert for Downtown Boston. Here is what is likely closed or slow as of 3:12 pm:

--Summer between Devonshire and Washington
--Otis and Devonshire are closed between Summer and Franklin
--Kingston between Summer and Bedford

Go to myfoxboston for more details - they seem to have the most traffic info so far.

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