PHILADELPHIA — A massive water main break sent water rushing into the streets of Philadelphia as an estimated eight million gallons flooded the roads.
The 48-inch water main broke just before 6:45 a.m. Wednesday in the city’s Kingsessing neighborhood, forcing evacuations and school closures, WPVI reported.
Residents who woke up to the significant damage were shocked. “I thought we were in the river somewhere,” Ab Francis, a resident, told KYW. “I thought I was gonna see a boat coming down here.”
The broken main was a transmission main, which is used to carry water to different parts of the city, and was installed in 1921, WPVI reported.
Fire officials told WTXF five people were rescued from homes, but no injuries were reported.
While the water was stopped after about 90 minutes, approximately eight million gallons had flooded the streets, leaving a massive hole behind in the street, WTXF reported.
On Twitter, WPVI’s Katherine Scott showed the damage left behind by the break, with rocks and debris visible around the massive hole still filled with water.
At least 16 public schools were closed Wednesday because they had no or low water pressure, but water has since been restored and schools were open Thursday, KYW reported.
The cause of the break is still under investigation, WPVI reported.