30 residents evacuated after Irvine water main breaks

Firefighters evacuated an Irvine apartment building early Wednesday when water from a burst pipe flooded some of the units and leaked into an electrical room, authorities said.

Crews responded around 2 a.m. to the Modera Irvine apartments at 2850 Kelvin Ave., where a 6-inch hot water main had broken on the fourth floor, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi said.

The leak damaged apartments below the pipe and, in some places, caused ceilings to collapse, according to the OCFA.

Water also began flooding into an electrical room, prompting firefighters to evacuate the building.

“Water and electricity do not mix, and it can be a deadly combination,” Concialdi said.

Crews immediately shut off the electricity and helped 30 people leave the building, and an on-site manager quickly shut off the water, according to the OCFA.

During the evacuation, Concialdi said, a woman in her 30s tripped and was taken to a local hospital with mild injuries, but nobody else was hurt.

Authorities estimated the leak caused at least $100,000 in damage to the newly constructed apartments.

Some of the displaced residents were able to stay with friends or relatives for the night, and the American Red Cross provided hotel rooms for others, Concialdi said.