A car backing into a fire hydrant on Tremont Street in front of AMC Boston Common 19 caused flooding in the basement of Ansin Building on Saturday night. It also caused a temporary water shutoff in Colonial Building on Saturday evening, ECPD wrote in a community-wide email later that night.

According to the ECPD report, the incident which caused the spill occurred at approximately 5:45 p.m., causing spillage down the street which impacted two campus buildings. Boston Fire Department responders contained the hydrant spill at around 7:45 p.m., Beacon reporters on the scene confirmed.

Beacon reporters also observed a water shutoff in Colonial Building beginning just before 7:00 p.m. ECPD confirmed a temporary shutoff occurred connected to the hydrant incident, and wrote in their email that water has now been restored at the Colonial Building as of 9:01 p.m. It added that it is common to see temporarily discolored water following a water shutoff due to sediment and rust that settle in the pipes.

“If this occurs, please allow your water to run until it clears. It will then be safe to use,” the email said.

According to the email, water also flooded into the basement of Ansin Building as a result of the hydrant spill. It is unknown if the flooding has caused damage.

The Ansin Building basement houses the offices of WERS, one of Emerson’s student-run radio stations. The Beacon observed a low level of water along the hallway and interior lobby of the offices, with ECPD on the scene entering to tell students currently on the air to evacuate just after 7:00 p.m.

Boston Police, Fire, and Water Departments are on the scene and working with our Facilities team to assess the situation, the email said.

“Please do not attempt to enter the Ansin Building until we can confirm it is safe for entry,” the email concluded.