PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A massive sinkhole caused by a water main break opened up in the middle of Birch Street in Port Richmond on Tuesday, between Edgemont and Salmon streets.
A parked car fell into the hole and another teetered on the edge. Water service was shut off for a few dozen nearby homes.
It happened around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, startling neighboring residents.
“I heard this giant boom and then I got a call from my neighbor and she said, ‘You have to move your car right now,’” one woman told NBC10.
The sinkhole devoured one neighbor’s parked SUV and slabs of the road that crumbled.
“My wife gave me a call and said something happened outside the house,” said Steve Williams. “I got home and lo and behold, a sinkhole opened up and her car happened to be parked there — and as you can see, it’s in the sinkhole.”
Crews pulled the SUV and another car out late Tuesday night.
“Nobody was hurt, nobody was injured. It was a vehicle, we’ll get it looked at,” Williams added.
The Philadelphia Water Department said a 6-inch water main break was the culprit. As crews worked on repairs, water was cut off, leaving about 30 homes without service for a few hours.
Water service was restored overnight, but Birch Street is still closed as crews assess the damage. Officials did not say how long they expect repairs to take.
Impacted customers can call the Philadelphia Water Department at 215-685-6300.