Huge water main break in Philadelphia prompts evacuations and school closures

Dozens of officials are responding to a 48-inch water main break in Philadelphia that flooded roads, prompting evacuations and school closures, the fire department said Wednesday. The transmission main, which moves thousands of gallons of water, is one of the largest that travels through the city, according to fire deputy chief Kamau Bright.

The fire department said it received reports of the break around 6:42 a.m. local time on Wednesday morning. Dozens of personnel have worked to find the transmission main's shutoff valves to completely turn it off.

At least three building in the area were evacuated. Five people were rescued from buildings in the area, including one person from a basement apartment, according to Bright. "Several others" have been assisted, and two people were provided emergency medical service care or transportation, the department said.