Large sinkhole shuts down Kensington road

KENSINGTON (WPVI) -- A large sinkhole has closed one road and is partially blocking another in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

The call first went out around 3:00 p.m. Monday for a possible water main break at Tulip and East Huntingdon Streets.

"The water was gushing up," said resident William Huffnagle, "gushing up good."

And soon the concrete started giving way. The hole just got bigger and bigger.

"All of a sudden, it went 'Whoomp!'" said Huffnagle. "It started cracking up the whole street."

"In the middle of the day it was about the size of a tennis ball hole," said Christina McGee. "Water was shooting out. My family went down for a nap. We heard everyone yelling outside. By the time we woke up, the whole street had caved in. It was crazy."

Crews arrived to find an ever-expanding sinkhole that ended up shutting down Tulip Street and part of East Huntingdon Street through the night and into Tuesday morning.

Philadelphia Water Department and Philadelphia Gas Works crews were both called to the scene.

Water department officials discovered a break in a 12-inch water main.

PGW says they were called because they have a gas line that runs beneath.

Workers stayed on the scene throughout the night working at the site.

That work continued Tuesday morning. There were no disruptions to water or gas service.

Traffic was being diverted, and some people were just making do.

"I drive a motorcycle so I don't get stuck," said resident David Ewerth. "I hope it gets fixed soon."

There was no immediate word when that work would be completed.

Motorists were being advised to avoid the area.