A burst water pipe at the University Place shopping center caused “irreparable” damage to the Kidzu Children’s Museum on Friday evening, according to a press release from the museum.

“Our incredible team arrived before dawn Saturday morning to begin the cleanup and we are salvaging everything we can,” the statement said. “We are grateful to the firefighters and everyone else who helped throughout the night.”

Kidzu CEO Jamie DeMent Holcomb told Chapelboro she was not aware of the details of the incident, but said the leak occurred outside Kidzu’s premises, in a “utility area” on University Place.

“All of the water has come into our premises,” Holcomb said. “It’s dirty water. It’s not clean, treated water, so anything that comes in contact with it is contaminated.”

The Kidzu Children’s Museum suffered “irreparable” damage from a burst water pipe on Friday evening. (Image via H’aiasi Chinfloo)

The Kidzu Children’s Museum suffered “irreparable” damage from a burst water pipe on Friday evening. (Image via H’aiasi Chinfloo)

The Kidzu Children’s Museum suffered “irreparable” damage from a burst water pipe on Friday evening. (Image via H’aiasi Chinfloo)

Holcomb said the cleanup will involve removing at least a foot of wall to prevent the spread of mold. Because of the damage, Kidzu’s University Place location will remain closed for the “foreseeable future,” according to the museum’s statement. However, the statement said plans are in place to resume the program “almost immediately.” Holcomb told Chapelboro the program will be held at Binkley Baptist Church, located behind University Place on Willow Drive.

“I don’t think there will be a long break,” Holcomb said. “Maybe a week or two.”

Kidzu continued to host events during the initial cleanup, including a Ukrainian Independence Day celebration for immigrant and refugee families and a playgroup session with the Orange County Partnership for Young Children.

“During our worst time of crisis, we were proud to continue to provide our community with learning opportunities, support and space to celebrate,” the statement said.

To support Kidzu in the cleanup efforts, donations to the museum can be made here.

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