www.sfgate.com
Flooding began last Tuesday, Oct. 11, at San Francisco’s 100 Van Ness in Hayes Valley. A standpipe — a high-volume spigot used to hook fire hoses up to the building’s water supply — was allegedly vandalized on the 11th floor of the 29-story high-rise, sending a massive wave of water through the halls and to the ground floor below.
The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office has charged a tenant of the building with felony vandalism and resisting arrest in connection to the broken pipe. At least 50 units have been evacuated, including all 16 units on the 11th floor. 90 out of approximately 400 units in the building may eventually need to be evacuated. The building’s owner, Emerald Fund, claims the damage will cost $20 million to fix.