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Water main break floods S.W. Phila. neighborhood

A 30-inch water main burst this morning in Southwest Philadelphia, flooding Lindbergh Boulevard in the Elmwood section.

Water Department employees drain water from the site of the break in the 30-inch water main on Lindbergh Boulevard between 63d and 64th Streets.
Water Department employees drain water from the site of the break in the 30-inch water main on Lindbergh Boulevard between 63d and 64th Streets.Read moreCLEM MURRAY / Staff Photographer

A 30-inch water main burst this morning in Southwest Philadelphia, flooding Lindbergh Boulevard in the Elmwood section.

The break was reported about 4:30 a.m. between S. 63d and S. 64th Streets. Philadelphia Water Department workers were still closing valves 3 1/2 hours later to stem the flow.

Deputy Water Commissioner Debra McCarty was supervising operations at the scene.

The break spewed a mix of water, mud, and gravel into the streets of the surrounding residential neighborhood.

One firefighter said the mud was so deep and thick he almost lost one of his boots.

Staff photographer Clem Murray contributed to this story