Water main break creates damage in Northern Liberties: officials

PHILADELPHIA - A water main break in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties neighborhood left behind some damage Sunday. 

An at least 20-inch broken water main occurred on the 1100 block of N 4th Street earlier Sunday afternoon. 

According to the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), as of Sunday afternoon, no properties went without water because the break was isolated. Only the 20-inch transmission main was shut off. 

Officials say water was reported in multiple properties, a portion of the road collapsed, and for a period of time a vehicle was stuck in it,

PWD sent a crew to help pump the water from those properties. 

PWD says a work crew has begun the repair process. 

Before people saw the body of water, Ted Matey said there was a loud noise. 

"I thought it might have been a car accident at first just on the noise because that happens at the intersection, but came out very surprised to see all the water, obviously it’s something different," said Matey. 

As of right now there is no reports of injuries, but officials say there is an undisclosed amount of people currently without water so, they are taking this very seriously and have all hands on deck. 

"This is a pretty significant break so, we expect this area to be out of service for sometime," said DF Pace, an Inspector with the Philadelphia Police Department.

There is no estimated time of completion and officials say the cause has not been determined.

A full assessment of the repairs and damages still needs to be completed.

Crews are set to resume work on Monday. The priority is trying to get the portion of Girard back open and to clear the trolley tracks of mud.