Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

Journal photo/ Kathy Borchers
Icicles hang from the exterior of the Garner Building, 40 Fountain Street, Providence, where a burst pipe spilled water on several floors. The Providence Biltmore is reflected in the window.

PROVIDENCE -- Several state employees at the General Treasurer's Office and Department of Health and Human Services were sent home this morning after a pipe burst on the 6th floor of the Garner Building, 40 Fountain St.

The floor houses the Department of Health and Human Services' Disability Determination Services. A state employee said there were 3 to 4 inches of standing water in some places and lots of puddles elsewhere, said Tim Gray, a spokesman for the treasurer, whose offices occupy the 1st, 7th and 8th floors.

Power has been shut off in most of the building as crews work on pumping out the water and repair the pipe.

No records were damaged, Gray said.

Non-critical employees in Treasury have been sent home, said Gray, but the offices are still open for business.

Case workers with the Department of Health and Human Services called clients this morning to offer an alternate meeting location or reschedule appointments, said spokeswoman Anne-Marie Beardsworth. Most employees were sent to work at alternate locations. Those employees who chose to go home took personal or vacation time, Beardsworth said.

Similar arrangements are in place for Monday, Beardsworth said.

-- Editor's Note: An earlier version of this item gave the incorrect floor on which the pipe burst. It also incorrectly implied the Treasury's offices were closed.

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