Water main break prompts evacuation, closure of popular New Jersey mall

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Monday, November 11, 2019
Water main break prompts evacuation, closure of popular New Jersey mall
Anthony Johnson has the details.

MILLBURN, New Jersey (WABC) -- A major water main break forced the closure and evacuation of a popular New Jersey mall Monday.

Officials for The Mall At Short Hills said the rupture occurred underneath the mall.

Power was shut off to the entire building, and the mall was evacuated.

"We are assessing the situation and hope to re-open today," officials said in a Facebook post. "Please check back for updates."

A short time later, officials announced the mall would remain closed for the remainder of Monday. It is unclear when it will reopen.

The mall was shut down very slowly, with the major stores shutting down last.

A security guard tells Eyewitness News that the problem is an underground water main that feeds the malls fire suppression system.

The water for the bathrooms is still operating.

The break apparently happened inside an electrical supply area, so power was shut down as a precaution.

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