HINGHAM, MASS. (WHDH) - Hingham police closed off a road after contractors struck a water main Friday afternoon sending a geyser of water shooting 60 feet into the air.
Neighbors were evacuated and water was cut to the area after National Grid crews working to repair a gas leak mistakenly struck the 12-inch main around noontime, sending water gushing up into the utility wires above.
No one was hurt.
South Street was temporarily closed at the intersection of Fort Hill Street and Hershey Street.
The Deputy Police Chief Bill Powers said Dig safe Crews misplaced markers along the street prompting the break.
“I’ve been on for 33 years, I have never seen water shoot 60-feet in the air. It was pretty impressive,” Powers said. “It was compromising the electrical lines. The power company contemplated shutting down the power in the area but a decision was made to wait until the water got shut down.”
Neighbors said they have never seen nor heard anything like this.
“I came out and there was a hole in the ground with 50-feet of water coming out of it,” Ben Smith who lives on the street said.
Crews are on scene working to repair the damage. They say water may not be restored until 8 p.m.
The road has since reopened.
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