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Kingswood burst water main forces school closures Kingswood burst water main 'will take day to repair'
(35 minutes later)
Several schools near Bristol have been forced to close and 8,000 homes remain without water after a main burst. A burst water main near Bristol is likely to take at least 24 hours to repair, a water company has said.
Bristol Water said supplies are likely to be cut off for the rest of Friday after the 30-inch wide (76 cm) burst in Kingswood on Thursday afternoon. The 30in (76cm) wide main burst in Kingswood on Thursday afternoon, cutting off supplies to 8,000 homes and forcing 18 schools to close on Friday.
Twenty people were evacuated from their homes by boat. The Red Cross found a church hall for them to stay overnight. Hundreds of people are queuing at several locations for water bowsers which were brought in by Bristol Water.
Water bowsers are being provided at several locations until repairs can be carried out, the company said. On Thursday, 19 people were rescued by dinghy. They spent the night in a church hall but have now returned home.
Resident, James Hodges said: "It was a shock to find a great big hole in the road when I came home last night. Bristol Water said due to demand, its tankers were out again to fill up the bowsers, as many were now empty.
Bottled water was handed out but this has now been used up, although the firm has asked people to contact it to have bottled water delivered if they are in desperate need.
'Boats rescuing people''Boats rescuing people'
James Hodges, a resident, said: "It was a shock to find a great big hole in the road when I came home last night.
"Luckily the water only came up to my wall, it saved my house from getting flooded but I know my neighbour's whole garden has been totally destroyed.""Luckily the water only came up to my wall, it saved my house from getting flooded but I know my neighbour's whole garden has been totally destroyed."
Most of the people who were evacuated have returned home and a clean-up operation is underway. Most of the people who were evacuated have returned home and a clean-up operation is under way.
BBC reporter Andrew Plant, at the scene: BBC reporter Andrew Plant, at the scene
"The hole in the road is huge. Workmen are standing in it and only visible from the chest up, and it stretches ten metres from end to end. The hole in the road is huge. Workmen are standing in it and only visible from the chest up, and it stretches 10m from end to end.
In it you can make out several pipes, and see a puddle of water at the bottom that gets disturbed every time the bucket of the mechanical digger scrapes in and pulls out more earth.In it you can make out several pipes, and see a puddle of water at the bottom that gets disturbed every time the bucket of the mechanical digger scrapes in and pulls out more earth.
The residents are watching from behind temporary metal fences; a lorry full of water is manned by two men in yellow jackets, pulling off six-packs and handing them to a steady flow of residents, who stagger off under the weight. The residents are watching from behind temporary metal fences; a lorry full of water is manned by two men in yellow jackets, pulling off six-packs of water bottles and handing them to a steady flow of residents, who stagger off under the weight.
It all looks like a natural disaster and many have missed work or school today, unable to shower this morning." It all looks like a natural disaster and many have missed work or school today, unable to shower this morning.
Red Cross volunteer Adam McGreevy helped people with the rescue operation on Thursday evening.Red Cross volunteer Adam McGreevy helped people with the rescue operation on Thursday evening.
He said: "To see boats rescuing people from their houses on the streets of Bristol is something you don't expect to see every day."He said: "To see boats rescuing people from their houses on the streets of Bristol is something you don't expect to see every day."
Avon Fire and Rescue said 19 people and six dogs were rescued by an inflatable dinghy.Avon Fire and Rescue said 19 people and six dogs were rescued by an inflatable dinghy.
Schools closedSchools closed
There are also fears a gas main has been affected. This needs to be isolated before more repairs can continue, the water company said.There are also fears a gas main has been affected. This needs to be isolated before more repairs can continue, the water company said.
A statement on the Bristol Water website stated: "Wales and West Utilities are carrying out some necessary work on their gas main.A statement on the Bristol Water website stated: "Wales and West Utilities are carrying out some necessary work on their gas main.
"Their main is close to our damaged main and it would not be safe for our crew to work on the repair until this work is completed.""Their main is close to our damaged main and it would not be safe for our crew to work on the repair until this work is completed."
It added that it did not know how long these repairs would take.
Areas that have been affected include Kingswood, Pucklechurch, Mangotsfield, Oldland Common, Longwell Green, Barrs Court, Keynsham, Stockwood and Whitchurch.Areas that have been affected include Kingswood, Pucklechurch, Mangotsfield, Oldland Common, Longwell Green, Barrs Court, Keynsham, Stockwood and Whitchurch.
Schools have been closed across the area, including: Kingswood Forest Primary; Kings Oak Academy; Sir Bernard Lovell School; Grange School, Warmley; Beacon Rise Primary; Chester Park Infants School and Chester Park Junior School in Fishponds. A total of 18 schools have been closed across the area, including: Kingswood Forest Primary; Kings Oak Academy; Sir Bernard Lovell School; Grange School, Warmley; Beacon Rise Primary; Chester Park Infants School and Chester Park Junior School in Fishponds.