Peabody building evacuated after pump leaks gas, some hospitalized

PEABODY – A mixed-use building in Peabody Square was evacuated and a dozen residents were hospitalized on Wednesday morning after a water removal pump emitted carbon monoxide fumes.Police said an improperly ventilated gasoline pump was set up in the basement of 7 Central St. to help alleviate flooding from this week’s rainstorm, which dumped five inches of rain in the city. The building includes businesses on the street level with apartments on upper floors.”Some of the exhaust (from the pump) made the carbon monoxide readings inside the building climb a bit,” Peabody Police Sergeant Scott Richards said. “They got the residents out of the building, removed the pumps and aired out the buildings.”Local reports said the affected residents of the building were expected to recover from the incident, which occurred around 10:30 a.m.”They wanted to take the safe route and just had everybody come out of the building,” Richards said.Nearby, much of Peabody Square, including Foster, Pierpoint and Russell streets, was officially closed around 3 p.m. Tuesday. Many businesses in the area sustained water damage and did not open on Wednesday due to heavy flooding; Peabody Public Schools and the city’s courthouse were also closed.Route 128 southbound in Peabody was closed Wednesday morning for the repair of severe deterioration caused by the storm. The roadway was closed again Wednesday night at 7 p.m. for emergency complete resurfacing, which was expected to continue through the morning commute today and significantly affect commuters.