A sudden burst of scalding water shattered windows and sent steam into the air along 5th Sovetskaya Street in St. Petersburg, shortly after a major pipe failure nearby. Local officials confirmed the incident and began assessing the damage to nearby homes and utilities.
City heating services reported that crews were working to replace the ruptured pipe, with restoration efforts expected to continue through the early hours of the morning. Because of an electrical incident tied to the event, a backup heating plan was activated to keep essential buildings warm while repairs proceed, according to city publications.
Initial assessments indicated that about 30 residences lay within the immediate danger zone of the break. Residents were advised to seek shelter indoors as temperatures dropped and the power grid maintained an alternate heating source. Emergency officials urged calm while prioritizing safety and access for emergency teams.
The break occurred on a stretch of Degtyarnaya Street that has carried heavy traffic and historical infrastructure. Authorities noted that the incident temporarily disrupted traffic flow and prompted safety restrictions in the surrounding block as crews stabilized the scene and began the recovery process.
As the emergency operations moved forward, officials announced that the most critical section of the emergency line had been secured. Work proceeded to remove the damaged segment and install a temporary conduit to prevent a larger technological disruption, while engineers prepared a long-term repair plan.
Witness accounts from downtown cited a nearby resident describing the moment the water erupted and the immediate concern for those trapped by boiling spray near their vehicles. Emergency responders were able to reach a woman who could not evacuate in a timely manner due to the dangerous conditions, and she was assisted to safety as the situation evolved.