ESCONDIDO, Calif. (KGTV) - A water main break on an Escondido street led to the formation of a sinkhole that almost swallowed a car early Tuesday morning.
The break of a 12-inch main line was reported at around 3:30 a.m. in the 500 block of 7th Avenue, at Pine Street, near Centre City Parkway.
A woman told 10News she saw that her car was slowly moving down into a sinkhole that was forming in the street. Responding crews told her not to move the car.
However, the woman watched as the car went further into the sinkhole, causing it to flip.
By 6 a.m., crews were able to tow the car out of the hole, which was about 4 feet deep.
WOW! Crews just pulled this car out of a sinkhole caused by a water main break on W Seventh Avenue in #Escondido. Car’s owner tells me she watched as it went deeper and deeper into the hole. @10News pic.twitter.com/MI5bk2R3UV
— Mimi Elkalla (@10NewsMimi) September 24, 2019
Meanwhile, the cause of the main break was not immediately determined, but 10News learned water service was turned down, but not completely off, for at least 26 homes in the nearby area. Service was expected to be restored for affected customers by 4 p.m.
Water from the main break entered at least two homes, 10News learned.
City water officials said it could take at least four hours for repairs. Officials expect 7th Avenue at Pine Street to be reopened by 8 p.m.
