Massive Water Main Break Causes Serious Damage, Forces Evacuations In West Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A massive water main break flooded streets, submerged vehicles and forced the evacuation of more than a dozen people in West Philadelphia.
It happened around 4:30 a.m. Sunday in the 500 block of 52nd Street at Westminster Avenue.
Officials say a 3-foot main ruptured, causing part of the street to collapse.
"A 36-inch main under full pressure is a very powerful force," said Mayor Michael Nutter, who was at the scene assessing the damage.
Approximately 10-million gallons of water gushed out into the street, sinking cars and flooding homes in the process.
"My basement is flooded," said one neighbor. "The water is from, when I went down to my basement it was coming up to (my neck)."
The rising water prompted authorities to evacuate fourteen people from their homes as a precaution.
"We are telling some residents to shelter in place because they are completely safe where they are," said Fire Captain William Dixon. "We do have some residents on a SEPTA bus for holding them, right now."
No one was injured, but more than a dozen vehicles were damaged, many of them either partially or completely submerged under water. The street was left with extensive damage and, at one point, a nearby playground looked like a river had run through it.
"It's totally unbelievable," said another neighbor. "This stuff is like a Hollywood production."
Crews got the water shut off after several hours, and officials were checking for damage to a gas line.
Many homes were left without water as a result of the break.
Officials with the Philadelphia Water Department said it wasn't immediately clear what caused the main to break, but said it was 130 years old.
Repairs were expected through the week.
