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Water Main Break Creates Waterfall, Leaves 25 Without Service In Bethel Park

BETHEL PARK (KDKA) -- A massive water main break that created a waterfall and sent gallons of water gushing through yards in Bethel Park left around two dozen customers without water Friday evening.

According to police, the break happened near the corner of Aljean Drive and Aniray Circle around 4 p.m.

KDKA's Christine D'Antonio Reports:

"I was sitting there watching TV and I just heard a whooshing sound, looked out the window and saw all the water running down the hill," said the homeowner who lives on the corner near where the break happened.

He says as bad as the water line break looked, being right in the thick of it was even worse.

"It was like a stream, like a waterfall," he said.

But unlike a normal waterfall, at the bottom, it didn't land in a pond or lake. Instead, gallons of water pooled into Amanda Deconcilliis's backyard; at one point reaching a depth of five feet.

"It would probably have gone over my head, and it covered this wall up to this corner right there," said Deconciliis.

She and her family felt powerless as the water crept towards their garage, filled with family heirlooms. They duct taped the doors from the inside, hoping that might help.

"It's flooded a couple of times," she said. "The creeks flooded, but it's never flooded to that extent. It was really, really bad. The worst we've ever seen it."

Video from NewsChopper 2:

Fortunately, for Deconciliis and the rest of the neighbors along Aljean and East View, after two hours, Pennsylvania American Water was able to get the water main to stop gushing.

Amazingly, none of the homes have any extensive damage inside.

"It was a close call there for a little bit," said Deconciliis. "I was really surprised that no one got flooded."

According to neighbors, the Friday's break marks the second in the past two years.

Officials with Penn American Water says service to the 25 homes affected should be completed by midnight.

RELATED LINKS:
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