A water pipe in a residential area exploded and deluged properties in water in Hubei, reports Chutian Metropolis News.

Lady Wang, a cotton product shop owner, discovered that her cotton products were water-damaged Wednesday morning in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province.

A main water pipe broke after midnight in the area, flooding several homes and shops.

Wang said her loss was roughly 10,000 yuan (US$1,200). The water supply department came to investigate the case and paid Wang 2,000 yuan (US$240) in compensation.

Officials said that if water pipes burst through non human causes victims could ask for compensation from water authorities.

(China Daily 08/02/2004 page4)