Pipe burst causes ‘lots of’ water damage at CPS Administration Building

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

“Lots of” water damage was reported at the Columbia Public Schools Administration Building on Monday after a pipe burst, according to a district spokesperson.

Columbia Fire Department Dispatch logs show firefighters received a call for a fire alarm at the Administration Building at 2:19 p.m. CPS spokesperson Michelle Baumstark told ABC 17 News in a text message that a sprinkler pipe broke and there was no fire.

“(It) appears to have been a sprinkler pipe (which broke), that’s part of the fire suppression system. We’re working on repairs and clean up,” Baumstark wrote. “We received alerts [about the pipe] earlier today. When the suppression system goes off we get notification as does fire etc. there was no fire, but the pipe was leaking pretty badly. Cold is likely a factor.”

Subzero temperatures have plagued the Mid-Missouri area for the past several days. The ABC 17 News Stormtrack Weather Team has said extreme temperatures are expected to last through Wednesday morning.

The estimated cost of the damage to the CPS Admin Building has not been revealed, but Baumstark said assessments are taking place.

CPS called off school for Tuesday around 4:20 p.m. Monday. The district called off classes twice last week and had a delayed start one day for inclement weather. Several schools have called off class for Tuesday, due to frigid temperatures.