PHILADELPHIA – A large sinkhole suddenly opened up on a Philadelphia street Tuesday afternoon after a water main burst underground. The hole was big enough to swallow one car and almost took another, but fortunately, no one was injured.
The incident happened in the Port Richmond neighborhood when a 6-inch water main broke just after midday, according to FOX 29 Philadelphia. Residents nearby said they heard a loud bang and were scared their homes might collapse.
One of the cars that fell into the sinkhole belonged to the wife of Philadelphia police officer Steve Williams. He learned about what happened when he received a panicked phone call from his wife.
“My wife called me at work, but I couldn’t even understand what she was saying,” Williams told FOX 29 reporter Steve Keeley.
Street Closed for Safety Checks
City officials quickly blocked off the street in both directions to assess the damage and ensure the area was safe. Emergency crews arrived at the scene to evaluate the extent of the sinkhole and begin repairs on the broken water main.
Despite the shocking event, Officer Williams remained calm. “I’ve been a police officer for 32 years,” he said. “This is just part of life in Philadelphia, no big deal.”
Homes Lose Water Service
The water main break caused about 30 homes in the area to lose water service temporarily. Residents were advised to be patient as crews worked to repair the pipe and restore water.
Workers also focused on safely removing the car from the sinkhole while making sure the road was stable. The timeline for repairs was not immediately clear, but officials assured residents they were doing everything possible to fix the problem quickly.
What Happens Next?
Sinkholes like this can happen when underground pipes burst, washing away the soil and weakening the ground above. Philadelphia, like many other older cities, has aging infrastructure, which can lead to water main breaks and similar incidents.
Officials will likely inspect other pipes in the area to prevent future breaks. Meanwhile, residents are encouraged to report any signs of sinkholes or unusual ground movement to city authorities.
While this situation was alarming, the good news is that no one was hurt, and repairs are already underway to restore normalcy to the neighborhood.
