By Peter Nickeas

Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO — A supervisor accidentally fired his gun in the Central District police station in the South Loop, hitting a water pipe and causing it to leak for two hours while police waited on city engineers.

The discharge happened about 9:40 p.m., according to police. After the gun went off, police noticed a trickle of water coming from the first-floor ceiling before it turned into a gushing stream.

The ensuing downpour ruined computers and desks. A damage estimate wasn't immediately available.

Police said the sergeant whose weapon discharged will likely face discipline within the department. No one was injured. The accident happened in the district's Chicago Alternative Policing, or CAPS, office.

Police used CAPS literature to try and soak up water.

The district station, at 18th and State streets, was left without water overnight. Because it is a holding area for prisoners awaiting court, police had to transfer the prisoners to the police station at 51st Street and Wentworth Avenue.

Twelve men and three women were transferred.

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