Bethlehem Townhouses Condemned After Main Break, Sinkholes

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP/CBS) — Seven townhouses in the eastern Pennsylvania city of Bethlehem have been condemned after a private water main broke and two sinkholes opened up.

More than a dozen residents were ordered out of their homes after firefighters found out about the problem at about 1:40 a.m. Monday.

Emergency Management Coordinator Robert Novatnack says seven units were condemned.

Eighty homes in the complex were without water and a neighboring building had no natural gas service. Water, electric and gas has since been restored to the 80 homes.

Capt. Allan Burghardt of the Bethlehem fire department said an emergency shelter was opened and a nearby elementary school and the Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley assisted those in need.

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