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Water Main Break Leads To Geyser In Northeast Philly

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A water main break in Northeast Philadelphia Wednesday evening caused thousands of gallons of water to flow into the air for more than 12 hours.

The 10-inch main broke around 7 p.m. Wednesday at Blue Grass Road near Grant Avenue.

Chopper 3 was over the scene showing water spewing into the air at least 200 feet or so during the height of the break.

The Philadelphia Water Department says the main is a fire service connection, which is why water service has not been impacted in the area.

northeast philadelphia water main break
(credit: Chopper 3)

A Water Department employee was injured. He was taken to Nazareth Hospital in stable condition.

Due to unsafe conditions at the scene, the Water Department says work had to be stopped for the night after five hours. Crews arrived back at the scene shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday and shut off the valve.

"Pretty much just getting it off as quick as we can and making sure while we're in the process, we're able to maintain water service to other customer in case we have to begin turning other valves off to find the proper location of this valve," says Joe DiGiulio with the Philadelphia Water Department.

There is no word yet what caused the break.

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