New Year’s Eve diners at the Manhattan Project Restaurant were informed by Victor Medina, right, at about 7 p.m. that they must vacate the building. A few minutes earlier, a fire alarm went off and firefighters arrived on the scene and discovered a broken water pipe near the sprinkler system in an empty office space at the rear of the building on Central Avenue. The water had to be shut off and once the building was evacuated, the electricity also was shut off because water had leaked near electrical breakers. Medina explained that diners who had not yet received their food could leave with no charge and the others could have their food packaged for takeout. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Firefighters gain access to the empty office in which a pipe burst this evening, forcing the evacuation of the Manhattan Project Restaurant and Starbucks. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

A firefighter explained that the water pipe in this empty office space likely froze during the recent cold snap and developed a crack that burst when the water began to thaw with today’s slightly warmer temperature. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Firefighters wait in the parking lot on Deacon Street for the Department of Public Utilities to turn off power to the building. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Firefighters assess the situation inside the building housing the Manhattan Project Restaurant. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

The scene on Deacon Street this evening behind the building with the burst water pipe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

DPU personnel arrive to cut power to the building. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com