Students evacuated the Williams building in Lower Cents at approximately 5:33 p.m. after a pipe burst.
Lehigh University Police Chief Jason Schiffer said a window was left open in a second floor room of Williams, causing a water pipe to freeze and burst with the recent cold weather.
Officers from the Lehigh University Police Department were dispatched to the scene at 5:01 p.m., Schiffer said.
Schiffer said steam emitted from the pipe set off smoke alarms.
He also said water flooded into the room, hallway and the first floor, and no one was harmed.
Within minutes of the police arriving, the department located the pipe’s shut-off valve and stopped the flow of water.
Schiffer said Lehigh Facilities and ABM arrived on site to repair the pipe and clean up the water.
Students were displaced to other resident halls and hotels for temporary housing while the water is cleaned and damage is assessed. Housing Services and Residence Life were also on site to assist students, Schiffer said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates.
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