By Tim Jimenez

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – About 250 people were sent scrambling for a place to stay because a pipe burst in their Center City apartment building Tuesday night.

“Heard a little bang, and the building shudder a little bit.”

Sheldon Goberman lives on the 16th floor of the 30 floor Center City One Condos at 1328 Spruce Street.

It was around 10 p.m. and what he felt was what fire officials are saying was a standpipe that burst. Water trickled down from the top floors through the building.

“Coming down like a waterfall. It was a lot of water,” Goberman explains.

Philadelphia Fire lieutenant Bernard Gilliam says some residents said they smelled gas.

“Building was evacuated, totally evacuated. And all the occupants left the building and went to the Double Tree Hotel.”

Because of the investigation, residents weren’t allowed to return. The Red Cross was on hand to help, but say most had a place to stay, many at the hotel.

No injuries were reported and no timetable given on when residents could return.