Homes damaged after fire hydrant bursts in Ross Township
ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) — Crews are working to repair a fire hydrant after a contractor hit it with a truck on Rochester Road in Ross Township on Thursday.
Around 5 p.m., water burst into the sky on Rochester Road, at one point reaching 100 feet in the air.
Randy Fasenmyer was inside his home with his mom and sister.
"Two houses up, they were getting a roof put on, and the contractor backed into the hydrant, knocked it loose," Fasenmyer said.
What A Mess! A fire hydrant along Rochester Rd in Ross burst after a contractor hit it with a truck, sending water into three homes & filling the basements to the roof. The Red Cross is helping those residents find shelter tonight. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/eJEDYLvcgo
— Ian Smith (@ismithKDKA) June 2, 2023
The water created a small river before it erupted and flooded the streets and homes.
"It was just pouring down here and pouring into my driveway and my basement is completely filled," Fasenmyer said.
While the area is prone to flooding, he said this one is worse. He said it took West View Water Authority some time to arrive to turn the water off.
Now he has a big task ahead of him.
"I've got to sleep on this and call the insurance and everything," Fasenmyer said.
In the meantime, the Red Cross will help him and his family find somewhere to sleep.
"I'm really frustrated with everything. It's just a mess," Fasenmyer said.
Rochester Road is closed between Glenmore Avenue and the Shop 'n Save.
KDKA-TV reached out to the water company and local officials for more details. It's unclear how many homes are out of service.