(New York -WABC, Feb. 16, 2005 ) -- A major watermain break in the Astoria section of Queens has flooded several blocks, forcing some evacuations.
The water is still bubbling out of the ground at the corner of 71th Street and Ditmars Boulevard, where officials suspect a 20-inch watermain was broken.
This watermain, which moves large amounts of water around the city, broke just before 4:30 this afternoon, and the flooding is extensive - spanning several blocks.
Water is gushing everywhere and the fire department tells Eyewitness News they are evacuating residents from six buildings, which have been flooded. Many homes in the area have water in their basements and the fire department is currently pumping basements.
The fire department actually has boats out, getting ready to get through this water - not something you see everyday here in the Steinway Section of Queens.
Water from the burst main is running into basements and into streets in the area. So far the main has not yet been shut down.
A a home on Ditmars Blvd. and 49th Street fire department officials could be seen taking people out of the house on piggyback to get them out of the water. Fire officials were up to their knees in water, and the main was still gushing without any sign of quitting.
City repair crews are currently at the scene trying to cap the water. At this point, neither subway service or Con Ed have been affected by the water, although power in the area is being shutdown at the fire department's request.
