Market Central floods

Market Central was evacuated around Sunday’s brunch hour as a few inches of brown water flooded… Market Central was evacuated around Sunday’s brunch hour as a few inches of brown water flooded most of the area. As fire alarms resonated throughout the floor, Market Central staff and additional University reinforcements scrambled to combat the water, which appeared to be flooding from a closet at the bottom of the steps leading from the Towers lobby to the dining area. Armed with flashlights, walkie-talkies, sweepers and a water vacuum, responders hollered over the alarms to one another as they attempted to quell the torrent. ‘This is crazy. This is crazy,’ yelled one staff member repeatedly. The water, which appeared deepest by the cashiers’ area and the Flying S-T-A-R Diner, flowed past the Basic Kneads and Magellan’s dining stations. Simultaneously, the flood advanced into the Quick Zone and the dining area past Taco Bell. Blocked by an understated ‘Caution: Wet floor’ warning, students in the Towers lobby crowded at the top of the stairwell to witness the hullabaloo. ‘That’s a lot of water. This is great,’ said Pitt student Jen McNaboe. ‘I think it’s funny.’ ‘The staircase looks like a dock in the ocean,’ said Pitt student Peter Miller. A security guard tried to keep the gaggle of students from getting too close to the chaos. ‘Keep it moving. There’s nothing to see here, except the water,’ he yelled. This is the second plumbing issue of the weekend for Pitt, after Nordy’s Place in the Union also experienced some water damage. Pitt officials on the scene could not immediately comment, as they were assisting with the cleanup.