Massive water main break in Kingsessing floods roads, basements

Water main break sends millions of gallons of water rushing onto Philadelphia streets

Millions of gallons of water gushed onto Philadelphia street Wednesday morning when a century-old water pipe burst. At least five people were rescued by firefighters from impacted homes and a dozen local schools moved to remote classes.

PHILADELPHIA - A massive water main break Wednesday morning in Kingsessing flooded streets and basements and caused several area schools to switch to remote learning.

According to officials, a 48-inch water pipe buried underneath the intersection of 56th Street and Springfield Avenue for more than a century burst forth around 6 a.m.

Millions of gallons of water soon inundated several blocks and rushed into surrounding basements. Some properties lost power and running water as crews scrambled to stop the geyser.

The Philadelphia Fire Department said five people were rescued from impacted properties, but no injuries were reported.

Massive water main break in Philadelphia floods roads, basements

A massive water main break in Philadelphia caused 8 million gallons of water to flood city streets and basements. Some homes lost power and area schools switched to remote classes.

All told, 8 million gallons of water surged from the busted pipe for 90 minutes.

More than a dozen nearby schools moved classes online on Wednesday morning due to impassable roads.

By mid-afternoon water was being pumped from a massive hole that now sits in the middle of 56th and Springfield, while crews scooped thick sludge left behind by the receded water.

Officials are unsure what caused the pipe to burst.

The Philadelphia Water Department released a statement about the water main break on Thursday.

"While we understand that no one is ever prepared for an emergency of this magnitude, we ask for your patience while we work to address the concerns of all of those impacted by this break," said Philadelphia Water Department Commissioner Randy E. Hayman. "Analyzing and evaluating a break of this size and surveying the corresponding damage will take time. We stand with the community and we want them to know we are in this for the long-haul as we address this situation."

The agency said it is working with the departments to clean up the surrounding streets and provide salt to prevent the water from turning to ice in freezing temperatures.

Water pressure has been restored to all customers, according to the department. Anyone still impacted by reduced water pressure should call the Philadelphia Water Department at 215-685-6300.

Cleanup continues in Kingsessing neighborhood after massive water main break

Hours after water stopped flowing through the streets Wednesday, residents still face a long road to recovery after a water main break flooded parts of a Kingsessing neighborhood.