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Massive water main break leaves path of damage

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Part of a city is shaken after a major water main break. It forced road closures and caused damage in the Scranton Hill section.

The break in the water main caused a big incident. Repair crews worked under difficult conditions as water overflowed above ground and turned into ice.

Water flowed along the sidewalk in the 900 block of Madison Avenue in Scranton. It ran through a backyard, a neighboring business and a few blocks down Ash Street.

Pennsylvania American Water said a 16-inch main pipe broke late Saturday morning. The history of the pipe dates back to 1891.

The teams reached the scene in a short time, but it took hours to stop the flow of water, which quickly turned into ice.

“But it’s very, very cold, so we’re going to work with PAWC to make sure these roads are salted as much as we can as that water turns to ice,” said Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti (D).

Protecting your home’s plumbing

One of the many affected is John Butler, owner of Butler Casket Company on Ash Street.

“This needs to be resolved as quickly as possible. So I have to be open on Monday morning, so I’m busy,” said Butler Casket Company Owner John Butler.

Water seeped into Butler’s business. He said that he quickly went to the building after a friend warned him.

“He said, ‘There’s a river in your front yard and it’s coming around your building.’ He said, ‘I went around the block and through the alley.’ He said, ‘It’s coming from the front of your building, the back of your building.’ Apparently, we’re right in the middle of it because of the water flowing through the yards on Madison Avenue,” Butler explained.

Luckily, none of Butler’s belongings were damaged, but he will have to work to remove the water during normal business hours. However, he chose to look on the bright side.

“Hey, it could always be worse. Look at it that way and let it go,” Butler added.

Pennsylvania American Water He said about 55 customers were without water service Saturday night. A spokesman expected the repairs to be completed by 6am on Sunday morning.

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