A large water main has broken in South Philadelphia, flooding several streets and prompting their closure.
The 12-inch main burst under Oregon Avenue at St. Christopher Drive, near 3rd Street, around 5:30 a.m. on Friday.
Water spilled on to the streets above the pipe, rising up to the front of a Philly Soft Pretzel Factory and spreading north on 3rd Street towards Shunk. That's a block away. Residents moved their cars to keep them from being flooded.
Philadelphia Police have shut down the westbound lanes of Oregon Avenue and 3rd Street between Shunk and Oregon. Water has flooded the basement of at least one home along St. Christopher Drive, officials tell NBC10.com.
Water pressure has dropped significantly in the surrounding neighborhood.
Philadelphia Water Department crews were able to shut off the water flow around 7 a.m. and continue to work at the scene.
