Water pipe breaks at mall

A 12-inch water pipe ruptured early Wednesday morning in a parking lot

at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

A geyser of water shot out of the ground until the Mesa Consolidated

Water District turned off the valve just after 7 a.m., said Diana Leach,

assistant general manager for the water district.

An outside contractor was called in to cut out the damaged section of

the pipe and replace it.

Water service continued throughout most of South Coast Plaza, although

Macy’s Men and Women stores and Sak’s Fifth Avenue were left dry for a

while.

Kyle Hode, saucier and kitchen manager at the Wolfgang Puck Cafe, said

the restaurant was unable to open in the morning because of no water.