Bistro Temporarily Closes Following Pipe Burst

Kashmala Khan ’29

Managing Editor

On Feb. 10, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Bistro was forced to shut down following a pipe burst. Located at 103 Vernon Street on the north end of campus, the Bistro serves as an alternative to Mather dining and provides services on the weekdays and on Sundays. Due to the incident, the operations had to be suspended until Feb. 12, when the Bistro reopened for dinner service.

In conversation with Tom Fusciello, Assistant Vice President of Construction, Facilities and Operations at Trinity College, the Tripod was informed that the burst had occurred later in the evening and was addressed immediately.

“The second we got notified, the team started working around the clock,” Fusciello stated.

When asked about the cause of the rupture, Fusciello attributed it to the recent wave of extreme winter weather in Hartford. This cold spell comes after Governor Ned Lamont’s extension of Connecticut’s severe cold weather protocol till Feb. 15, as extreme wind chills and low temperatures persist across the state. Overnight temperatures fell into the single digits on multiple occasions during the week prior to Feb. 15.

Although Facilities Services is still in the process of debriefing the exact cause of the incident and how the interior temperature of the Bistro dropped to such levels, Fusciello noted that the most plausible explanation still remains the sustained frigid temperatures.

Fusciello further made a critical distinction that the burst did not involve an underground pipe. Rather, the rupture occurred in a fire sprinkler pipe, which contributed to the need for temporary closure.

When questioned about safety concerns at the time of the incident, Fusciello emphasized that no injuries or structural damage occurred, noting, “only the pipe had to be repaired.”

The Bistro reopened two evenings later, with repair efforts proceeding without delay. According to Fusciello, the team encountered no obstacles during the process.

The Construction, Facilities and Operations department at Trinity College, Fusciello mentioned, “actively carries out preventative maintenance” to mitigate such incidents. However, extreme weather conditions can limit the extent of preventive control measures.

He further encouraged students to report facilities-related concerns promptly, as early reporting allows the team to address issues before they escalate. During periods of severe cold, Fusciello also advised that it would be helpful if students keep windows closed to protect campus infrastructure from freezing temperatures.