Crews work to repair 20-inch water main break in Northern Liberties

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Crews are working to repair a water main break in Philadelphia's Northern Liberties section.

Philadelphia Water Department was called out to the 1100 block of North 4th Street around 9 a.m. on Sunday for a 20" broken main.

Video from Chopper 6 showed several inches of water taking over multiple city blocks.

"I heard a huge bang while I was getting ready to leave and as I was walking to my car which was right here," said Janet Stuart of Northern Liberties. "The water was rushing down the street this way."

Amid repairs, several connectors had to be shut down due to the significance of the break.

A giant hole is now visible on 4th Street after the road and sidewalk partially collapsed.

"I saw a car submerged in water and it was next to the fire department. Five to ten minutes later, it was hanging on for dear life in the street," noted Justin Greystone, who was impacted by the water main break.

Officers had to escort him to his apartment to get his laptop before heading to stay with his sister.

On Monday, affected residents were briefly allowed to return home.

"The basement was obviously flooded and it started to go up to the first floor, and the street was absolutely terrible," recalled Madi Christopher.

Crews spent the day working to pump water out of buildings and shovel up mud.

There is also damage to the nearby Philadelphia firehouse along Girard Avenue. The companies housed there will temporarily move to other stations, but the fire department says they will still respond to all calls in their area.

Some residents we spoke with are looking for a new place to stay.

"Like trying to even find a place to go right before the holidays and they're like, 'Call your insurance company and figure it out from there.' It's a mess," said Jason Baker.

Girard Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets reopened to drivers on Monday evening.

The break is affecting SEPTA's Route 15 trolley that runs along Girard Avenue. Officials say detours are in place.

The 1100 block of North 4th will remain closed until repairs are complete. There is no timeline fora when repairs might be finished.