Penn Hills Water Main Break Causes Sinkhole, Swallows Car
PENN HILLS (KDKA)- A water main break sent water gushing down a street in Penn Hills and opened up a big sinkhole.
The break happened around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday along Beulah Road, near Penny Drive.
Because of the damage to the road, Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority says water will be off for most of the day today.
A car was parked in the wrong place at the wrong time when the A 12-inch water main broke. Soon after, the ground started caving in on Beulah Road.
"There were sparks coming from underneath the car, front part of the car," Brenda Delbene said.
The owner said the car was totaled. At first, neighbors say all that could be seen was water under and around the car, but it was evident that the road was unstable.
"Water's coming up. You can't move the vehicle at that point 'cause you don't know where the hole is, it's just underneath the car. Just gotta let it say goodbye," Chris Delbene said.
Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority said once the car was towed early Wednesday morning, crews began working on the break, which left around 30 customers without water.
"Just one mess from here. No water. Unsure when we're going to get it back on," Chris said.
As crews began digging, there was yet another inconvenience for neighbors.
Electricity was shut off to some, since the utility pole was on the edge of the sinkhole.
The Water Authority said they will assess the damage to the car and will be in touch with their insurance company as well as the vehicle's owner.
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