LOWELL, Mass. — Priceless books and items were damaged after a pipe burst inside Lowell's public library, one of the oldest libraries in the state.
Five-thousand gallons of water poured from the ceiling inside the Pollard Memorial Library after a pipe burst in the attic. Lowell City Manager Kevin Murphy says the pipe broke sometime after the library closed Friday afternoon, but nobody realized what happened until Monday because the fire alarm never went off.
Murphy says last week's record cold caused dozens of pipes to burst in city buildings, but the cleanup process inside the library will be especially time intensive.
The building dates back to 1890, making it one of the oldest libraries in Massachusetts. Original Audubon sketches and centuries-old murals hang on the walls.
"It's one thing computers. Obviously that's going to be an expense and things like that, but old books that are treasures for the library being destroyed is really heartbreaking to see that," said Murphy.
Crews are now working around-the-clock to dry out the library and books.
The city is working with an insurance adjuster, but estimates the damage to be in the hundreds of thousands.
The library will be closed through Friday.