Water Break Caused Major Damage To South Hills Home

An early morning water main break closed a major road in the South Hills and caused significant damage to at least one home.

Pennsylvania American Water crews were dispatched to the break along Somerville Drive in Upper Saint Clair shortly before 6 a.m. Wednesday morning.

The break sent water gushing onto the roof of Harold Schmitt's home.

"(It) took off a lot of shingles, they broke the front door, the front window, a lot of water coming in through the attic, the front of the house, the basement's flooded," said Bob Schmitt, the homeowner's son.

The break interrupted water service, although that was quickly restored. Power service had to be shut off to the home, though, amid concerns the water may have set off an electrical fire.

The cascade of water rolled over the hillside, and triggered flooding on Painters Run Road.

The road was closed for most of the morning for cleanup, but re-opened around 10 a.m.