Water main break triggers street collapse

PORT RICHMOND - February 25, 2008 It happened in the 2100 block of East Venango Street early this morning. Water Department officials tell Action News that a six-inch water main break is to blame for the street collapse and flooding issues in the area.

Water rushed into the basements of several homes in the neighborhood. The first calls to authorities were made around 7:00 this morning. The Water Authority arrived around 9:30 a.m. to shut off the broken main. However, by then much of what people had in their basements had been ruined.

Around 10:30 a.m. crews began digging up the street around the sink hole to begin repair work on the water main.

Water Department crews still on the scene, and at this hour they say at least 50 homes are still without water. Authorities say before repairing the main, they have to check for damage on the main sewer line.

When they're done with the water main repair, road crews will be called in to repair the hole left by the main.