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Oxford homes flooded by burst water main | Oxford homes flooded by burst water main |
(about 21 hours later) | |
Twelve homes in Oxford have been flooded after a water main burst leaving another 2,500 without water or facing low pressure to their homes. | Twelve homes in Oxford have been flooded after a water main burst leaving another 2,500 without water or facing low pressure to their homes. |
Thames Water said the leak had been isolated and repairs were under way. | Thames Water said the leak had been isolated and repairs were under way. |
A spokeswoman said a 24in (60cm) water main burst shortly before 07:00 GMT on Friday, on the slip road off the A34 on to Manor Road at South Hinksey. | |
Fire and rescue crews had to use a boat to help people evacuate their homes and rescue belongings. | Fire and rescue crews had to use a boat to help people evacuate their homes and rescue belongings. |
Resident Stacey Norris, who was lifted to safety by firefighters, said her pet cats had drowned in the flooding. | Resident Stacey Norris, who was lifted to safety by firefighters, said her pet cats had drowned in the flooding. |
'That powerful' | 'That powerful' |
Another resident Maggie Rawcliffe said the water was 4ft (1.2m) high in parts and in places had lifted up the road surface. | Another resident Maggie Rawcliffe said the water was 4ft (1.2m) high in parts and in places had lifted up the road surface. |
She added: "There are piles of rubble and huge great kerb stones that have just been lifted up and deposited by the flow of the water, it was that powerful. | She added: "There are piles of rubble and huge great kerb stones that have just been lifted up and deposited by the flow of the water, it was that powerful. |
"The houses, [the water] was flowing through their gardens and out through their front doors. | "The houses, [the water] was flowing through their gardens and out through their front doors. |
"One person in the second house had to be rescued because the force of the water was so great she couldn't open her front door. | "One person in the second house had to be rescued because the force of the water was so great she couldn't open her front door. |
"The fireman had to rescue her from the top floor." | "The fireman had to rescue her from the top floor." |
David Heycock, group manager at Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the water was flowing freely around an area of about half a square mile of South Hinksey. | David Heycock, group manager at Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the water was flowing freely around an area of about half a square mile of South Hinksey. |
Mr Heycock said: "It's fairly deep in places to the point where we've mobilised our boat and we are in dry suits helping people in their properties to evacuate and move their precious belongings. | Mr Heycock said: "It's fairly deep in places to the point where we've mobilised our boat and we are in dry suits helping people in their properties to evacuate and move their precious belongings. |
"We were dealing with a large amount of water that was having a major impact on households. | "We were dealing with a large amount of water that was having a major impact on households. |
"The water levels dropped quickly once the leak had been isolated and we were then able to focus on removing the water from the affected properties." | "The water levels dropped quickly once the leak had been isolated and we were then able to focus on removing the water from the affected properties." |
Sandbags delivered | Sandbags delivered |
The Red Cross was also called in to help and Oxfordshire County Council sent 2,000 sandbags to the area. | The Red Cross was also called in to help and Oxfordshire County Council sent 2,000 sandbags to the area. |
In a statement, Thames Water said: "We are very sorry to those affected by this incident, particularly to those whose homes have been flooded. | In a statement, Thames Water said: "We are very sorry to those affected by this incident, particularly to those whose homes have been flooded. |
"Our loss adjusters will be on the scene today to begin the insurance process in order to get people's homes and lives back to normal as soon as possible. | "Our loss adjusters will be on the scene today to begin the insurance process in order to get people's homes and lives back to normal as soon as possible. |
"Our engineers are beginning the repair job - first cutting off water through the main then digging up the road and replacing the broken section of pipe. | "Our engineers are beginning the repair job - first cutting off water through the main then digging up the road and replacing the broken section of pipe. |
"This, together with rebuilding the road back over the pipe, is likely to take at least a week." | "This, together with rebuilding the road back over the pipe, is likely to take at least a week." |
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