Water main break, sink hole close Centre Street in downtown Oshawa, Canada

http://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/5455141-update-watermain-bre...

OSHAWA -- A portion of Centre Street South in downtown Oshawa is closed due to a watermain break and sink hole.

Durham Region’s works department has staff at the site to repair the watermain break.

This break is unrelated to a watermain break on King Street east of Centre Street last week.

The latest break means the water supply to homes and businesses in the area has been shut down.

The section of Centre Street will remain closed until the break is repaired and the road restored.

Once normal water pressure returns, customers are asked to flush out their systems by turning on the cold water tap only and let it run for five to 10 minutes.

Water Main Erupts in Palmer Texas (Mar 26)

A massive water main break has disrupted MetroRail service between Lakeline and Howard Station, causing “significant delays” that are expected to run through the evening rush hour, Capital Metro said Thursday afternoon.

It’s unclear what caused the main break.

Sources

http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2015/03/26/water-main-break-im...

http://kxan.com/2015/03/26/water-main-break-causes-issues-for-metro...

http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/28624892/water-main-break-near-par...

500 Evacuated From NY Subway After Water Main Break (Apr 8)

A water main break in the West Village forced the evacuation of 500 people from No. 1 train Wednesday evening. The 12-inch water main broke at 6:51 p.m. near 175 West 13th St. near Seventh Avenue, FDNY officials said.

The flooding resulted in halted service on the 1, 2, and 3 trains at the 14th Street station.

A photo from the scene showed brownish water inundating the intersection and coming up the sidewalk to the edge of a building.

Video at the scene also showed water cascading down the side of a train and pouring down into the 14th Street No. 1, 2 and 3 train station below.

Fire officials said the water was 2 feet deep in some spots and was actually covering the third rail in the subway. Water had begun to recede by 8:40 p.m. after the water main was shut off, but there were still numerous muddy areas.

Seventh Avenue was also closed to traffic between 12th and 13th streets, 1010 WINS reported.

The nearby Lenox Hill Healthplex was also dealing with problems as a result of the break, fire officials said.

“Steam has been disconnected from the hospital – it is affecting the hospital with that utility at this point,” said FDNY Battalion Chief John Porretto. He said he was not sure if any patients were affected.

Sources

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/04/08/west-village-water-main-brea...

http://pix11.com/2015/04/08/water-main-break-shuts-down-northbound-...

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150408/west-village/water-main-br...

http://rt.com/usa/248105-broken-water-main-flood-nyc/

Rumbling Earth, Water Main Break, Underground Fire in NYC (Apr 13)

A water main break caused the ground to shake in Queens and caused fires underground, fire officials said.

“At first just the pipe burst and it was all flooded here in the morning… Then all of a sudden the manholes had steam coming out,” said Lisa Deng, 22, who works at Dream Tech Auto Services.

A firefighter at the scene said the flooding caused a fire to erupt beneath the manhole.

“It was rumbling! The ground was rumbling and I guess they were going to let it explode but it didn’t explode.”

The blaze scorched a white Chevrolet Cruze that was being serviced by Dream Tech.

“I was so worried that the whole shop was going to be gone like what happened in the city. I was so worried it was going to explode and destroy my whole shop,” said Deng.

The busted pipe caused flooding near National Street and 43rd Avenue in Corona around 8:45 a.m., Monday, officials said.

Source

http://nypost.com/2015/04/13/ground-shakes-after-nyc-water-main-break/

One Morning, 35 Water Main Breaks, Tulsa OK (Apr 15)

The Tulsa Water Department reported more than 35 water main breaks across the city Wednesday morning.

Later in the afternoon, a water main break sent water shooting 40 feet in the air.

Rick Caruthers, water distribution manager, said crews have been working to repair about 100 waterline breaks that have caused temporary service issues for hundreds of residents and businesses.

The city says workers have been out since Tuesday repairing a number of the breaks and additional workers are expected to be called in as more breaks are added to the list.

Sources

http://www.newson6.com/story/28806553/tulsa-repairing-numerous-wate...

http://www.tulsaworld.com/homepagelatest/tulsa-water-crews-scrambli...

Water Main Explodes Through Pavement in UK (Apr 27)

A 50-ft geyser of water burst through the pavement in Gateshead today, sending debris flying and causing evacuations.

The town’s traffic was brought to a standstill as police closed roads to deal with a burst water main.

Motorists were forced to sit in long tailbacks after the pipe burst on St Cuthbert’s Road at around 1.30pm on Monday.

Madeline Richardson, a senior nursery nurse at The Bridges Nursery, said their building was evacuated during the drama.

She added: “The water explosion was outside our nursery. It was going 50ft in the air and the roads surrounding the nursery were flooded.

The burst water main is the second one to hit Tyneside in two weeks.

On April 17, a pipe burst on Scotswood Road, flooding the nearby area and closing roads.

The flood gave motorists a headache and affected businesses, with one car dealership being submerged, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Source

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/gateshead-burst...

Water Main Erupts in Memphis Tennessee (May 1)

Around 2 a.m. Friday, a homeowner awoke to a loud rumbling.

"I just saw water going everywhere," said the woman, "I thought it was someone trying to break in."

The water main break sent rocks and asphalt flying into her home.

When she looked out her window, she saw what looked like a geyser.

"It was hitting so hard that I thought maybe it was going to cave my roof in," she explained.

The homeowner said she called 911 first because she was confused about what was happening.

The fire department showed up and eventually contacted MLGW crews who shut off the water just after 5 a.m. affecting more than 60 residents.

Later Friday morning MLGW crews worked hours to repair the pipeline underground and turned the water back on around 10 a.m.

MLGW officials said they were still working to determine the cause of the water main break.

Source

http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/28950344/water-main-break-flood...

Water Main Geyser Erupts Near Philadelphia PA (May 6)

A huge water main break created a geyser on a road in Cheltenham Township on Wednesday afternoon.

"I came out to get my mail and all of a sudden I saw the burst," said Selma Alexanian. "It looked like a volcano."

"We heard noise, a "boom," and then there was water coming out like a fountain," said Jeanine Lee.

The eruption launched rocks and pavement all around, including one resident's driveway.

It took about an hour to shut the water off. Repair crews then started the task of restoring water service to 10 nearby homes.

There was no word on what caused the break.

Source

http://6abc.com/news/water-main-break-creates-geyser-in-cheltenham-...

Water main break shuts down Holgate Street in Seattle

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Water-main-break-shuts-down-Holg...

Santa Cruz crews say old water main "blew up," caused gallons to spill into neighborhood

http://www.kionrightnow.com/news/local-news/water-main-break-in-san...

Water main break swamps downtown block in San Luis Obispo

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2015/05/08/3625494/water-main-break-sw...

Water-main break floods West Hollywood neighborhood

A 12-inch water-main break submerged several vehicles, flooded a commercial building and caused extensive street damage in a West Hollywood neighborhood Sunday.

The break occurred in the 1200 block of North Formosa Avenue at about 4:45 a.m., officials said.

Several vehicles in an underground parking structure were submerged as gallons of water spewed into the residential neighborhood. At least one business was damaged.

"If I had a raft I could have went down to Melrose Avenue," James Marthaler said.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power crews responded to the scene and closed down the streets to start on repairs. There was no immediate estimate of how much water was lost.

"We have six vehicles in the underground parking that have been flooded, so now we're trying to evacuate the water, which is going to take us a couple more hours to complete that operation," said Trey Espy of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The water main was installed in 1936. LADWP officials believe the age was likely to blame for the break.

"It was just one of many places where we need to have a water main replaced," said Kirk Broyard with LADWP.

Twenty-seven customers on North Formosa Avenue, between Fountain Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard, were without water due to the water-main break. Service was restored by 6:45 p.m.

Crews remained on scene to clean up.

Source: http://abc7.com/news/water-main-break-floods-west-hollywood-neighbo...

Google Maps

"Colossal" Water Main Break Floods Streets in Beverly Grove

"It was colossal," one resident said. "The jet of water was easily as tall as the tree."

By Christina Cocca and Vanessa Ruiz

A water main described as "colossal" break flooded streets in the Beverly Grove area of Los Angeles Tuesday morning.

The pipe ruptured about 5 a.m. in the 8300 block of Blackburn Avenue. according to the LADWP.

The broken 6-inch main shot a geyser of water into the air, causing a sinkhole and flooding streets. Residents described hearing a rumbling sound.

"I heard this sound ... it was kind of an eruption sound. It was really loud, it was rumbling," a longtime resident of the block told NBC4.

"It was colossal," he said. "The jet of water was easily as tall as the tree."

Crews turned off the water by 6 a.m. leaving about 20 to 30 customers without water until the afternoon, LADWP officials said. The street was repaired sometime around noon.

"That's a stab in the dark when you say, 'What caused the water main break?'" said Kirk Broyard of the LADWP. "But again, aging infrastructure. We're doing everything we can to replace to aggressively replace these old pipes.

The age of the pipe that ruptured in Beverly Grove was not immediately known.

Source: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Water-Main-Break-Bevery-Gro...

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Large water main breaks in New York today.

400 Cars Flooded After Water Main Breaks in Manhattan NY

As many as 400 cars were flooded early Thursday after a main break sent water gushing into the parking garage of a residential building at East 57th Street and Second Avenue.

At least three levels of the garage at 303 E. 57th St. were flooded with about 2 feet of water after the break at 58th Street and Second Avenue.

“We’ve got pumps down there now, and it’s gone down by a few inches, but there’s still about 2 feet of water down there on C level and E level,” said Orlando Melecio of AC Klem Plumbing, who got the call about the inundation about 5 a.m.

Source

http://nypost.com/2015/05/14/up-to-400-cars-flooded-after-manhattan...

Water Main Break Sends Water Gushing 30 Feet into Air in Suffern NY

A pipe burst along Route 202 on Thursday, sending a geyser of water at least 30 feet into the air.

The water spewed higher than the utility poles near the intersection of Chestnut Street shortly after 3 p.m. Suffern Police Chief Clarke Osborn estimated the geyser reached 30 to 40 feet high.

"The manhole cover blew right off," he said.

The break occurred in a water main. The water continued to spew as United Water New York crews made their way to the scene along with firefighters and police.

Source

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/rockland/2015/05/14/suffern-w...

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Water-Main-Break-in-Fallbrook...

Section of Fallbrook Road Could Collapse After Water Main Break in Fallbrook

An early morning water main break left a section of roadway unstable and vulnerable to collapse in Fallbrook, officials said. 

A resident called in the water main break, which crews later determined to be a break in a 12 inch water main, around 1 a.m. Monday on South Mission Road between West Fallbrook Street and Aviation. The break is affecting the whole intersection.

Water Gushes After Water Main Break

Crews estimated that the break left 400,000 gallons of water still in the sinkhole, ready to bubble up. 

Water department crews turned off the water but are still trying to seal the main all the way. The sinkhole that has formed in the area has four to five feet of water in it, which crews are working to drain.

The ground underneath the asphalt east of the sinkhole has washed out, crews on scene said, and 400 feet of roadway could collapse. They said they would recommend the county close the section of road to drivers for days as it will be unstable and could collapse.

The break is affecting the entire intersection in the area, where crews estimate a shopping center could be left without water as a result and potentially some residents in the area as well.

Once crews drain the water, they can begin to repair the main. Officials said they would be on the scene for most of the day working to repair the damage.

Rush-hour chaos as buses, cars and cycles struggle through a London high street after burst water main leaves it looking like a river

Commuters faced travel chaos this evening after a burst water pipe left a main road looking more like a river.

Buses, cars and bicycles struggled to make their way through Green Lanes in Harringay, north London, after a burst water main flooded the carriageway just before rush-hour.

Vehicles could be seen with their wheels up to three feet deep in dirty floodwater with residents estimating the deluge stretched about half a mile.

A spokesman added: 'After this we'll assess the damage and plan the repair job. We'll work as hard as we can through the evening and overnight to get things back to normal as quickly as possible.'

It is not known when the incident will be resolved or when the road will be reopened but fire crews and council workers are believed to be at the scene trying to drain the water.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3098192/Commuter-chaos-buse... 

Brockton schools open; boil water order in effect

Posted: May 27, 2015 6:53 AM PST Updated: May 28, 2015 6:34 AM PST Reported by Victoria Warren

BROCKTON, Mass. (WHDH) - Brockton schools were re-opened Thursday following a major water main break in East Bridgewater on Wednesday that interrupted water service and caused a boil water order. 

A large water main that carries water from Silver Lake to the City of Brockton ruptured in East Bridgewater, interrupting service for thousands of people. 

A 24-inch pipe burst at about 6:30 a.m. under a man's home and prompted a water emergency. It is one of two main lines that run through East Bridgewater to the city of Brockton.

"I tried to get my truck out the garage cause I knew this was gonna take a few days to fix and I need transportation, so I said, 'let me try to get my truck out of the garage,' and I went about five feet and then I went down five feet, so that was it. That was all she wrote," said the homeowner, whose truck was in a sinkhole.

Students were dismissed from Brockton High School. The mayor urged parents to pick up elementary and middle school students in Brockton as well.

Brockton Mayor Bill Carpenter said between 50,000-75,000 people in Brockton were impacted and he said old infrastructure is to blame, as the pipe was nearly 100 years old.

"Immediately, we're asking people to only use water for necessary purposes as we get the system back up and fully running. We're advising them not really to do laundry for the next day or two as we get the pipes cleaned out, and the boil water order will be in effect for at least 24 hours. Any water that's gonna be used for either drinking or preparing food has to be boiled for a minute first before it's consumed," Carpenter said.

Emergency repair crews are on the scene, but officials hope for a return to normalcy by morning.

“We hope to have the pipe repaired by midnight, have water flowing to everyone by morning, that will alleviate the real part of the emergency, but the state will keep the real boil water in order for a couple days,” Carpenter said.

Brockton, Whitman, Hanson and parts of Pembroke were affected by the water main break. The boil-water order will be in effect for 24 hours after water tests come back clean.

Source: http://www.whdh.com/story/29167288/water-main-break-interrupts-wate...

Google Maps

Water Main Breaks Causing Problems Throughout Kanawha County

Updated: Sunday, May 31, 2015 | Sean DeLancey, Jarrod Clay

OUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Several homeowners are still cleaning up after water came rushing into their homes following a series of water main breaks in Kanawha County.

In winter, the freezing temperatures often cracks underground pipes, causing them to burst, but with 90 degree temperatures this weekend, the answer isn’t quite as clear. But, temperatures still could the cause of the recent water main breaks.

It was a wet weekend in Kanawha County.

"I woke up this morning and it sounded like it was raining,” Dustin Kolovich said.

But that water wasn’t falling from the sky, it was gushing out of a broken water pipe on Indiana Avenue. Home video shows water shooting into the sky like a geyser, right into Kolovich’s house.

"There was so much that it was just over running everything, running into the garage, and the back side of the house, and the front side,” Kolovich said.

West Virginia American Water spokeswoman Laura Jordan said the company shut off the water about two and a half hours after the water first started gushing out, but by then the damage was done.

Kolovich wasn’t the only victim of weekend water main breaks.

In total, Jordan said there were eight breaks in the Kanawha Valley including a 30 inch pipe on Pennsylvania Avenue.

"We heard this big thud and really didn't think of it,” Chris Kimes said.

Kimes was among seven homeowners on Arlington Avenue who suffered flood damage as a result of those breaks.

"The water in the basement was up to my knees. Some stuff I had when I was like three is totally gone. Those memories are like, zip,” Kimes said.

"It was a very large blowout on that pipe and like I said, we're trying to get them back to normal as soon as I can,” Terry Ashby, with Servpro Protection Team, said.

WVAW sent Servpro teams for damage control, and will cover the cost of damages.

The water company said fluctuating water temperatures in the pipes may be to blame for all the breaks, but Kimes blames aging pipes.

"It's time we step up and deal with our problems."

The Pennsylvania Avenue break has been repaired, and the break on Indiana Avenue should be fixed later this week.

The water company said that break was on a transport pipe, so it isn’t affecting anyone’s water service.

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A couple of major water main breaks caused serious damage to Charleston homes this weekend.

The latest break happened on Indiana Street in South Charleston.

The water main break created a geyser, shooting water into the sky onto a home on Indiana Street.

The home under the geyser is the home of Duston Kolovich, and he said there was nothing to stop the flow of water going into his house.

Kolovich said the main broke at about 7 a.m. and it was nearly two and half hours before West Virginia American Water could shut off the valves.

Partly, Kolovich said, because the water company didn’t know the main was there before it exploded. He said the damage to his home is substantial.

"There was so much that it was just over running everything, running into the garage, and the back side of the house, and the front side. It didn't have anywhere to go,” Kolovich said.

Kolovich isn’t alone in dealing with water damage from main breaks over the weekend.

A 30 inch main broke in Pennsylvania Avenue Saturday, flooding seven homes on nearby Arlington Avenue.

People there said it was about 12 hours before the water company shut off the valves, and by that point one neighbor had water in his basement up to his knees.

Both lines are now repaired.

West Virginia American Water has not given word on what is causing the breaks.

Source: http://www.wchstv.com/news/features/eyewitness-news/stories/South-C...

Google Maps

Water main break affects traffic in west Baltimore

BALTIMORE —A 6-inch water main break is affecting traffic in west Baltimore.

The break happened on North Hilton Street just north of Gwynns Falls Parkway Friday afternoon. Police shut down the intersection, and part of the intersection was still shut down Friday night. There is no immediate word on when it will reopen.

Traffic was backed up on westbound Gwynns Falls Parkway, SkyTeam 11 Capt. Roy Taylor reported.

Video from SkyTeam 11 showed water pouring out of the street and evidence that the street was starting to collapse.

Water service to three homes and a small business was disrupted as a result of the break.

Source: http://www.wbaltv.com/news/Water-main-break-affects-traffic-in-west...

Google Maps

Crews Deal With 4 Water Main Breaks At Once In Warren, Residents Report Brown Water

WARREN (WWJ) – Repair crews in the city of Warren were working on four separate water main breaks at once on Friday.

Mayor Jim Fouts says it’s only somewhat unusual to have so many breaks at once.

“The biggest one, a large break, occurred at 11 o’clock last night on Hoover Road, south of 9 Mile Road. The afternoon shift continued to work throughout the night and the day shift is continuing to repair this,” Fouts told WWJ Newsradio 950, late Friday morning.

“They hope to have this done by today… It was a 10-foot water main that was split.”

Police said the other breaks were at Curie Avenue and 9 Mile Road, MacArthur Boulevard and Westminister Avenue, and Dover Avenue and Racine Road.

What caused the problem?

“I was just told it was a combination of a surge coming from Detroit, and the heat,” Fouts said. “…It’s not been particularly warm, but when it heats up all of a sudden, when it’s been cold, apparently it does stress on the water main.”

Two Warren residents told WWJ that the water in his home is brown, but Fouts said the city has received no complaints.

So far there are no health advisories or boil alerts about the water in Warren due to the breaks.

Source: http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/06/05/crews-deal-with-4-water-main...

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Victoria flooding: Street shut as authorities probe burst water main that 'destroyed' road and saw cinema evacuated

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/victoria-street-flooding-road...

Firefighters had to carry marooned cinema-goers to safety after a burst water main "destroyed" a busy London street last night.

Water gushed into Victoria Street, Westminster, after the pipe - just outside Westminster City Hall - ruptured at about 6.15pm. Witnesses reported smelling gas and said the road surface had been "ripped apart" by the water pressure.

The road was still shut between Palace Street and Buckingham Gate this morning as Thames Water probed the extent of the damage.

Two businesses, including the nearby Curzon Cinema, were flooded and TfL had to divert bus routes as the water surged.

The cinema was evacuated and firefighters were pictured carrying customers over the flooded pavement to safety.
"It turned into a fast flowing river within minutes," Susie Stringfellow, who had been planning a night out at the cinema, told the Standard. "The road burst open and water came spouting out of the hole with a great force.
"The water was gushing out in torrents for hours and the road has been destroyed. The fire crew and police did a great job."

Water Main Break Floods Westlake District Streets

Firefighters responded to the flooding at intersection of Glendale and Beverly boulevards in the Westlake District

By Michael Larkin and Vanessa Ruiz

Streets were flooded in the Westlake District of Los Angeles after a water main broke early Tuesday morning, sending gushing inches-deep water into the surrounding area.

Firefighters responded to the broken pipe at the intersection of Glendale and Beverly boulevards after an eight-inch pipe ruptured at about 2 a.m., a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman said.

Tuesday's break on the 87-year-old pipe was one of seven in the last several weeks. 

"It's some sort of cyclical, we're still averaging about three a day within the entirety of the city, just that at this moment in time, they seem to be focused on the metro area," John Cox said, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Superintendent.

Last week, a different pipe also burst, dumping water near homes and businesses.

"We're in the same intersection but the leak itself is about 200 to 300 feet away from the prior leak we had last Thursday," Cox said.

SoCal Water Main Breaks

It took about 40 minutes for crews to shut the main off Tuesday, leaving a river of mud in its wake.

Initially it was thought up to 15 residential homes were left without water, however the only problem was a drop in water pressure for some customers, officials said.

Southern California Images in the News

Southbound Glendale Boulevard was closed during repairs and the cleanup process. Officials couldn't give an estimated time for its reopening or for the restoration of water service.

Street services were cleaning up the muddy mess left behind by the flooding.

Google Maps

3 Separate Water Main Breaks Around L.A. Leave Dozens Without Service

Los Angeles DWP crews were working to repair and clean up after three separate water main breaks that left dozens of customers in Los Feliz, East Hollywood and Eagle Rock without service Friday morning.

A 4-inch pipe burst in the 3700 block of Effingham Place in Los Feliz around midnight, sending cascades of water down the street and flooding the basement of a nearby home, according to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Spokesperson Kim Hughes.

About 30 customers were without water as a result of the rupture, Hughes added.

By 6:20 a.m., crews had shut off the water in the immediate area and repairs on the broken pipe were underway, DWP tweeted.

It was not immediately clear how long it would take to fix the 90-year-old pipe, or how long affected residents would be without service.

The water main break in Los Feliz was the first of three that occurred within a span of about three hours overnight, according to Hughes.

A 12-inch pipe burst in Eagle Rock shortly after 2 a.m., leaving 20 customers without water service, Hughes said. Then, at about 3:15 a.m., another 6-inch pipe broke in East Hollywood, affecting 30 customers in the area as a result.

Source: http://ktla.com/2015/06/12/los-feliz-homes-flooded-in-1-of-3-separa...

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Cleanup work underway after massive water main break in West Philadelphia

Cleanup and repair work are underway after a massive water main break caused flooding and prompted evacuations in a West Philadelphia neighborhood.

Most of the people near the 500 block of North 52nd Street were left temporarily displaced from their homes.

L&I officials inspected all 50 properties affected by the water main break and none of them have been deemed uninhabitable.

The thousands of gallons of water that flooded the street earlier Sunday had receded by mid-morning.

What remained was extensive damage - damage to the street, to more than a dozen vehicles, and to homes. A long, hard cleanup and repair effort lies ahead.

First responders helped residents out of their homes and away from the rising water.

"I was in the bed asleep," said resident Shanika Williams. "Somebody banged on my window, and when I looked out I saw water shooting up."

Williams walked out to see her car underwater.

Images from the Action Cam broadcast on Action News at 6:00 a.m. showed at least a dozen vehicles partially submerged.

Action News is told many homes were flooded. More than one dozen were evacuated.

A temporary shelter was initially set up by the American Red Cross at West Catholic High School at 4501 Chestnut Street, but the shelter was later closed after no residents showed up there.

Action News is told many in the close-knit community were staying with family and friends.

The Red Cross did remain on the scene, providing water to utility and repair crews, and standing by to help any residents in need.

The Philadelphia Water Department was able to shut off water to the broken main in a matter of hours.

By 8:00 a.m. most of the water had receded, and residents started to assess the damage - only to be told to evacuate again so PGW could check on its gas main located next to the water main break.

Officials stressed that no one was in danger.

The fire department remained on the scene, standing by as a precaution.

Later, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter arrived on scene along with other city officials.

It's not clear yet how long residents might be out of their homes. The Red Cross is also on standby for any people that need somewhere to stay.

As repair work got underway to the broken main, so did the investigation into what caused it to rupture.

The pipe at the center of the break dates back to the 1800s.

Officials say increased water pressure in the line due to high summertime demand may be to blame.

Source: http://6abc.com/news/cleanup-underway-after-west-phila-water-main-b...

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Methane Geysers Erupt at Ontario Golf Course (Jun 17)

Geyser-like eruptions in a pond on a golf course are the result of naturally occurring gases being released from the ground. Two Ontario municipalities are under a state of emergency.

The gassy water is surging skyward at the Indian Hills golf course southwest of Grand Bend and local residents are being told to stay away.

Municipal officials in Lambton Shores declared a “localized state of emergency” Thursday, one day after the natural gas leak erupted in twin geysers.

Gas has continued to leak into the air since Wednesday morning with no indication of when it might stop.

“We're hoping it will dissipate in the near future,” Cook told The Observer. “There may be more radical steps to take if not, but at this point, there’s not much we can do.”

Firefighters and Lambton OPP responded to reports shortly before 8 a.m. Wednesday from a nearby First Nations group of a strange odour coming from a creek.

The golf course was evacuated when the leak was discovered, and access to Indian Hill Trail West remains restricted, said Const. Travis Parsons, the OPP’s community services and media relations officer.

The cause of the leak is under investigation and is assumed to be naturally occurring gas venting to the surface. If that’s the case, it would be a rare incident since natural gas is usually found in pockets deep into the ground.

Union Gas accompanied the firefighters to the site and determined the leak was indeed natural gas and contained methane, according to Andrea Stass, Union Gas’ manager of media relations. The utility company does not have any natural gas pipelines within two kilometres of the golf course.

Lambton Shores’ Deputy Mayor says they’re monitoring air and water quality and so far there has been no impact to residents.

Indian Hills Assistant Pro Chris O’Connell says the course is closed until further notice.

Municipal officials and representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources met this morning to determine the next steps.

Sources

http://www.theobserver.ca/2015/06/18/cause-of-natural-gas-bubbles-i...

http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/natural-gas-geyser-at-golf-course-south...

http://blackburnnews.com/sarnia/sarnia-news/2015/06/17/natural-gas-...

http://blackburnnews.com/sarnia/sarnia-news/2015/06/18/a-localized-...

Cleanup underway after huge water main break in Hunting Park

Friday, June 19, 2015 01:22PM

HUNTING PARK (WPVI) --

The push to get to back to normal is underway for businesses overpowered by fast-moving water after a massive water main break in Philadelphia's Hunting Park section.

A ShopRite supermarket was back open Friday morning, but Action News is told other stores were expected to remain closed for days or even weeks.

"We came in, we have to wipe things down. We have to move boxes and stuff," said Selena from Hair Buzz.

The salon was able to reopen, along with the ShopRite.

But many of the other stores, like Ross, a wine and spirits store and the Dollar General store, remained closed.

The 48-inch water main break at a shopping plaza at Fox Street and Roberts Avenue occurred around 2:45 p.m. Thursday.

"It was crazy, it was real hectic," said one person who was there.

The fire department evacuated people from affected businesses, which included Planet Fitness, Hair Buzz, Dollar General, ShopRite and Ross.

Philadelphia firefighters had to rescue several people.

Action News is told there was an announcement over the loudspeaker system at the ShopRite alerting customers to put their bags down and evacuate.

"So we had to leave all of our groceries there, couldn't even check it out. We had to immediately evacuate," said Genevieve Beale.

"They immediately began evacuating the stores behind us, approximately seven stores were evacuated and about 100 customers," said Executive Chief Clifford Gilliam, Philadelphia Fire Department.

Firefighters made two water rescues, after employees of one of the clothing stores stayed behind to secure the building.

The Dollar Plus store is directly behind the main that broke. The manager had to let customers escape through the back.

"All of a sudden it started bubbling up. The water came up so fast that the front door got blocked, they couldn't get out," he said.

Some shoppers and workers had to be taken to safety in inflatable boats.

Others rushed out into the parking lot to save their cars.

They struggled through knee-deep water and most were able to get to higher ground.

Source: http://6abc.com/news/major-water-main-break-floods-hunting-park-sho...

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Boil Water Advisory lifted after water main break on Grinstead Drive

Posted: Jun 19, 2015 4:14 AM PDT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Water says the Boil Water Advisory has been lifted for approximately 33,000 customers impacted by Thursday's water main break on a 60-inch pipe.

The company says the water quality is good and customers can use their tap water for all purposes.

Customers should empty ice from refrigerators with automatic dispensers and allow three cycles to run before using the ice. The water company also advises to allow water to run for a few minutes on the water line before drinking.

Louisville Water spokeswoman Kelley Dearing Smith says crews are still working to repair the main. She says a large section of the pipe will be removed today. Crews will then install a new section of 60-inch pipe next week. 

Crews will continue working on Grinstead Drive throughout the weekend and the road could remain closed through the middle of next week. 

Source: http://www.wdrb.com/story/29359813/boil-water-advisory-lifted-after... 

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Water main break to keep North Main closed

DAYTON — 

Source: http://www.whio.com/news/news/water-main-break-shuts-down-north-mai... 

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WATER MAIN BREAK BUCKLES ROADS IN HOLLYWOOD HILLS

Monday, June 29, 2015 06:58AM

Officials on scene told Eyewitness News the busted 8-inch pipe was built in 1926. Water service was turned off for approximately 80 homes.

Odin Street was closed, and officials had no estimated time for re-opening the road.

The cause of the break was not immediately known.

Source: http://abc7.com/news/water-main-break-buckles-roads-in-hollywood-hi...

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Streets turn into canals as burst water main floods roads in south London and 70 firefighters battle to save homes and shops

• Floodwater measuring a 'few inches deep' laps properties in Kennington, south London, after burst water pipe
• Commuters faced travel chaos this morning after torrent of water erupted just after 8am, flooding several streets
• Residents took to Twitter to joke about the flooding incident describing the suburb as 'Venice' and the 'mini Pacific' 
• Water supply had to be turned off in area while incident dealt with by 70 firefighters who pumped water from homes

By EMMA GLANFIELD FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 11:36 EST, 29 June 2015 | UPDATED: 14:08 EST, 29 June 2015

Streets were transformed into canals after a burst water main left a busy suburb of south London flooded today.

Commuters faced transport chaos as they tried to travel through Kennington this morning after the burst pipe sent a torrent of water down residential streets.

More than 70 firefighters battled to prevent damage to homes and shops as the leak erupted just after 8am.

Police were called in to cordon off roads and 10 fire engines were sent to pump water clear out of nearby homes. 

Several residents could be seen trying to wade through the water, including four year-old Jaya who whizzed through the water in Kennington Park on her scooter.

Twitter users took to the social media site to share news about the incident, with reports of the floodwater measuring a few inches deep.

Karl Roche said: 'Might want to avoid Kennington Road? Unless you have a canoe.'

Nick Chapman said: 'Kennington Park Road has become a river #happymonday #lambeth #london'. 

He later added: 'Water levels still slowly rising on Kennington Park Road. Time to get some sandbags and a boat.'

Mark Russell said: 'No need to visit Venice this year. This is Grand Canal Kennington today' before posting a picture of floodwater lapping the edge of properties.

Matthew Blakstad joked: 'I think I may have left the bath taps on.'

And Heather Hampson said: 'I hope South London Pacific hasn't actually tuned into a mini Pacific! #kennington.'

Others complained about the water supply being turned off while the incident was dealt with.

One Twitter user, writing under the name Chella, said: 'No water in kennington and elephant & castle. Worst day of my life.' 

Cyclist Shaun Mooney, 26, said the water stretched 'at least a few hundred yards up the road'.

He told the Evening Standard: 'You could see water gushing and bubbling like there was a fountain.

'There was a whirlpool where they must have opened up a drain, and all the water was draining away like a bathtub. It was crazy.

'It was from pavement to pavement, and at some points it was overlapping the pavement like a river bursting its banks.'

Kennington Park Road was shut southbound while emergency services dealt with the incident and several bus routes had to be diverted.

Thames Water apologised for the burst pipe and confirmed the water supply had to be turned off while it was dealt with.

A spokesman said: 'We're sorry to anyone affected by the burst pipe this morning.

'Our engineers have arrived at the road and are working as fast as they can to turn off the water supply and stop flooding.'

A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed officers were sent to the scene, adding: 'We were called at 8.21am to reports of a burst water pipe.

'Roads were closed at Kennington Park Road junction with Kennington Park Place, in the direction of Oval. Thames Water attended and buses are on diversion.'

Transport for London confirmed Kennington Tube station was unaffected and still open.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3143430/Streets-turn-canals...

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Charleston peninsula on boil water advisory after water main break

Posted: Jun 30, 2015 10:48 AM PDTUpdated: Jun 30, 2015 8:24 PM PDT

HARLESTON, SC (WCSC) -Charleston Water System is issuing a boil water advisory for the Charleston peninsula after a water main break Tuesday afternoon. 

The company also says Azalea Dr. is closed to traffic as workers replace the broken pipe. 

Charleston Water System posted the advisory through their Twitter account. Customers on the peninsula starting at Mt. Pleasant street and moving southward are being urged to boil water for at least one minute before using it. They say that minute starts after bringing the water to a full boil. Click here for more on what to do during a boil water advisory. 

Some restaurants decided to shut down for the day because of the advisory. Others stayed open by buying ice and bottled water.

The company says the advisory will remain in effect until their water samples confirm the water is safe to drink. The process could take longer than 18 hours, their website says. They plan to post updates on their Twitter account. 

The company did not provide any formal notice through phone calls or emails. Some businesses said they found out by luck. 

"We actually had an employee that worked for use who got a text message from one of her friends at MUSC saying that there was a boil water advisory," Nick Edstall, the house manager of Juanita Greenberg's said.

At 3:35 p.m., officials announced that samples were in the lab and results would be in at 7 a.m. on Wednesday. 

People living downtown reported either low water pressure or no water at all in their homes on Tuesday morning. 

Charleston Water System later tweeted that the caused of the water outage was on Azalea Dr. 

Copyright 2015 WCSC. All Rights Reserved. 

Source: http://www.live5news.com/story/29443619/charleston-peninsula-on-boi... 

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Crews Race to Reopen Georgia Avenue After Water Main Break

Water gushed into homes, streets and businesses on a busy stretch of Wheaton, Maryland Wednesday afternoon after a 68-year-old water main burst -- and crews are still working to reopen Georgia Avenue.

Georgia Avenue reopened to southbound traffic on Wednesday evening, with one lane each for southbound and northbound traffic. Crews were working late Wednesday to reopen Georgia Avenue in time for rush hour Thursday morning.

"We are hopeful at this point it will be open by the morning," WSSC spokeswoman Lyn Riggins said late Thursday. "We're going to do the best we can. There is a lot of damage to the road." 

The water main break occurred on Georgia Avenue between Shorefield Road and Henderson Avenue about 12:45 p.m., according to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.

One home with six people inside was evacuated as nearly knee-deep water rushed inside. Dr. Wajeed Khan was in his Georgia Avenue office when the water seeped indoors.

"It was truly was like the Mississippi River on both sides of the building, and like Lake Michigan in my office," he said.

About 2.5 million gallons of water were lost during the break, according to WSSC. That's the equivalent of almost four Olympic-size swimming pools.

The same section of Georgia Avenue flooded two previous times in the past year, Khan and Roger Ramirez, a resident of the flooded home, said.

"This is a classic example of aging infrastructure. When an older pipe like this breaks, we're putting a Band-Aid on it," Riggins said as workers worked to repair the pipe Wednesday evening.

Source: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Wheaton-Homes-Being-Evacuat... 

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That's one way of keeping cool! Londoners use burst water main as an impromptu shower as temperatures head for the high 30s

• Temperatures have reached record-breaking 36C today making it hottest July day ever and hottest day in 12 years
• But Britons were struggling in stifling heat and officials had urged people to stay indoors during peak sun hours
• In south London people found a novel way to keep cool - by using a broken water mains pipe 

Londoners have found a novel way off cooling off during the blistering heat on what is officially the hottest day in twelve years.

A burst water pipe in the south of the capital provided relief for passersby as the mercury hit a record-breaking 36.7C today making it the hottest ever day in July and pushing temperatures in Britain even higher than Barcelona and Athens.

Scorching temperatures caused concern among health officials who fear the lives of young children, pregnant women and the elderly are at risk from the tropical heatwave.

But as many struggled to cope with the heat, Londoners used the the burst water mains in Merton as a refreshing shower. 

The high-pressured jet of water erupted at 11am this morning, shooting 45ft into the air above a busy street. It was cordoned off by officials this morning as gallons of water pumped out every minute.

But that didn't stop hot and bothered locals running through the mid-street shower while cyclists and motorcyclists also enjoyed a cooling spray as they rode along the road. 

Thames Water confirmed they were alerted to the leak this morning but were not able to stop the flow until 3.15pm this afternoon.

Water had to be switched off to the surrounding area while work was carried out although services to nearby homes have now resumed. Staff are now working to permanently fix the damage which Thames Water said was caused by 'normal wear and tear.' A spokesman said: 'Lots of pipes in London are quite old so it happens quite often.

'We're sorry to anyone affected by the burst pipe today. Our engineers are there fixing it and we're doing all we can to get things back to normal as quickly as possible.'

The utilities firm were not able to confirm how much water was lost but said bursts of this kind 'always look worse than they are.' 

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3146174/That-s-one-way-keep... 

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Crews repair water main break in Eureka Valley

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Crews repaired a water main break in San Francisco on Saturday, officials said.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission received a report of the break at 8:22 a.m. in Eureka Valley, said Catania Galván, a spokeswoman with the agency. The break occurred on an 8-inch cast-iron pipe dating from the 1800s at 19th and Eureka streets, she said.

Roughly a block of customers in the area were left without water for several hours.

The repairs were complete by midafternoon, with water service returning shortly afterward, Galván said.

The incident was the second water main break in as many days in San Francisco. On Friday, an aging 12-inch main at Potrero Avenue and 22nd Street burst, sending water spilling down the street past San Francisco General Hospital.

Source: https://www.google.com/maps/place/San+Francisco,+CA/@39.4660296,-12...!4m2!3m1!1s0x80859a6d00690021:0x4a501367f076adff 

Water Main Break Reported in St. Albans

ST. ALBANS, W. Va. (WSAZ) -- A water main break has been reported in St. Albans, along the 800 block of South Walnut Street.

Neighbors say water could be seen shooting several feet out of the ground since around 6:45 Saturday morning.

Crews from St. Albans Municipal Utility Commission are on scene to shut the water off and repair the 6 inch water main.

Crews tell WSAZ that they aren't sure how many will lose service once they shut the water off, but don't expect repairs to take long.

Keep checking WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for updates on this story.

Source: http://www.wsaz.com/home/headlines/Water-Main-Break-Reported-in-Sai... 

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Water main break floods streets, leaves some without water

SEATTLE -- A Sunday morning water main break in Beacon Hill flooded the streets and temporarily left some residents without water on what is expected to be the hottest day of the year.

The break was reported Sunday at about 8:30 a.m. in the area of 32nd Avenue South and South Juneau Street. It caused flooding that some residents described as a river flowing down the street.

"We just woke to the street full of water," said resident Markus Barrera-Kolb. "It was pretty much curb to curb, five to six inches at the curb."

Seattle Public Utilities crews had to shut off a 16-inch "feeder main" to investigate, which left roughly 30 homes in the neighborhood without water.

Water was soon restored to most of the homes, but some were expected to be without water until early afternoon.

Karen Reed with Seattle Public Utilities said if residents find discolored water coming from their faucets, they should let it run until it becomes clear. 

Officials don't yet know what caused the break.

Source: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Water-main-break-floods-streets-... 

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Water main break sparks massive sinkhole in Detroit

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2015/07/06...

Crews are working to repair a water main break that produced a massive sinkhole Monday on Detroit's east side.

A resident alerted the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department to the yawning opening — at least a dozen feet across — in the pavement near Chene and Medbury, which was caused by an 8-inch rupture and a damaged 18-foot-deep sewer at the site, spokeswoman Curtrise Garner said.

Three Water Mains Broke While You Were Sleeping    

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Water main break floods Westside neighborhood

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Sand Springs water main break fixed.; road closed between Lincoln S...

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Could take several days for massive water main break to be repaired  

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Airport Road Reopened After Water Main Break, Sinkhole  

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Water main rupture causes Berkeley street to buckle

http://www.rt.com/news/310135-canada-pipeline-spill-oil/?utm_source...

China-owned pipeline leaks 5 million liters of oil emulsion in western Canada

Water main breaks at 35th and Broadway in Everett

EVERETT, Wash. -- Crews are on the scene of water main break at 35th and Broadway in Everett, according to city spokeswoman Marla Carter.

The water started gushing around 2 p.m. and will take a couple of hours to stop.

The city of Everett said a 12-inch pipe broke. 

Only one resident is without water while they repair the break.

A few commercial businesses in the area may be without water, but they are all close for the day. A nearby storage facility may have been damaged by the break.

Carter said they haven't discovered what caused it.

Source: http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/everett/2015/07/18/everett-wa... 

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Utility Crews Respond to Water Main Breaks in Hollywood, Silver Lake

Utility crews Friday morning were working to repair two major water main breaks that caused flooding in Hollywood and Silver Lake. 

The first rupture occurred about 2 a.m. in the 900 block of Robinson Street in Silver Lake, where a 6-inch cast-iron pipe burst open, according to Ellen Cheng, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

The break resulted in the opening of a large sinkhole, which partially swallowed the left rear tire of an LADWP truck that responded to the scene. A tow truck was summoned and pulled the vehicle out of the hole in the street.

The agency shut off water service at the location, affecting some 40 customers, Cheng said. It was expected to be restored by 2 p.m.

Robinson Street was closed between Marathon Street and Descanso Drive while LADWP personnel worked at the scene.

In Hollywood, an 8-inch cast-iron water main ruptured near the intersection of Cahuenga Boulevard and Cahuenga Terrace.

According to LADWP, water service was suspended for about six customers at the site.

Source: http://ktla.com/2015/07/17/utility-crews-work-to-repair-broken-wate... 

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Huge Alberta pipeline spill

(the pipeline was new & sensors were supposed to detect the rupture as part of the fail-safe system in place. But it didn't)

Water main break opens sinkhole near Albuquerque Uptown

http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s3855409.shtml#.VauF2dDotl0

A busy Albuquerque intersection turned into a flooded nightmare when a sinkhole opened up Saturday afternoon.
The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority says a 30-inch water main break caused Indian School Road to buckle and create a sinkhole at Americas Parkway.
A woman drove her SUV into the sinkhole, but was not hurt in the incident.
The driver declined to talk to KOB, stating she'd let her insurance company handle the damages.
Albuquerque police said they responded to the water main break around 4 p.m., but the sinkhole opened up before they could block off traffic and an SUV ended up driving into it, causing damage to the front-end of the vehicle.
It took crews a little more than an hour to pull the SUV out, but it took the water authority hours to figure out which valve would shut off the water to the sinkhole.

Water main break opens up sinkhole in Jersey City

JERSEY CITY - A sinkhole was created this evening by a water main break on Eighth Street between McWilliams Place and Jersey Avenue, adjacent to Hamilton Park.

United Water crews are on the scene.

United Water staffers at the scene told freelance photographer Steve Gold that the water main serving buildings on Eighth Street between Erie and Jersey avenues has been turned off and will remain off for five to six hours.

Bob Andrews, a resident of 245 Eighth St. confirmed water is off in his building.

PSE&G workers are also on the scene, but said gas lines will not be shut down.

A United Water spokesman did not immediately return a phone call to comment.

Source: http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2015/07/water_main_break_opens_u... 

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Water Main Break Creates Geyser In Baldwin

BALDWIN (KDKA) — A water main break sent water shooting 20 feet into the air Tuesday evening in Baldwin.

According to emergency officials, it happened in the 500-block of North Street.

The geyser flooded at least one backyard, created a big hole in the road and affected one swimming pool.

“My parents have always said if the water main in front of our house broke, our house was going to be on Becks Run, so that’s what I was expecting whenever I got home, so I was a little relieved whenever I got here, but I’m still in shock,” said Jen Ewing, the owner of the swimming pool that was flooded.

Crews shut off the water while they make repairs.

Crews also shut down nearby Becks Run Road, which was flooded and covered with debris.

There’s no timetable on how long repairs will take.

Source: http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/07/21/water-main-break-creates-...

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Major water main break collapses Granger Road in Independence

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - A water main break along Granger Road in Independence has flooded several parking lots and closed a westbound lane near the Interstate 77 overpass.

The 12-inch break was first noticed by ODOT crews around 1:30 a.m.

Water from the break has undermined the road in the area and was sending thousands of gallons of water into the nearby parking lots.

Cleveland Water officials said two businesses were affected by the break.

A large section of the road and adjacent hill has washed away by the force of the water leaving a large hole in the road.

Cleveland Water Department workers are at the scene beginning their process to make repairs.

Source: http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/oh-cuyahoga/major-water-mai... 

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Water main break blasts business, shuts down road

Crews rush to repair 4 water main breaks in 10 mile radius

CARNEGIE, Pa. — Crews rushed to repair a broken water line in Carnegie Thursday morning before several businesses were scheduled to open for the day.

Twelve businesses were without water after the water main break on Third Street Wednesday night. It was one of four water main breaks within a 10 mile radius.

Source: http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/water-main-break-leaves-several... 

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No Word Yet on Cause of Water Main Break in East New York

There's no word yet on what caused a water main to break in Brooklyn, sending water more than 100 feet into the air. 

The break occurred around 4 p.m. Friday on Pennsylvania Avenue near the Spring Creek Towers complex in East New York.

Water was gushing for about two hours until sources say crews were able to stop the leak.

Witness: There was a lot of older people. There was people walking their dogs. There was like, I saw this woman, she had a child and they were sitting and watching the big flood up in the skies.
Q: So this could have went wrong with all of these people?
Witness: It could've, yeah.

Pennsylvania Avenue was closed to traffic between Flatlands and Vandalia avenues.

No residents lost water, but witnesses say everyone was astonished to see the water blasting out of the street.

No injuries were reported.

Source: http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2015/07/24/water-main-brea... 

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Water Main Break Shuts Down Route 51