Homes evacuated in Bristol after water main burst

A water main burst in Fisher Road at about 17:00 BST

Fire crews have rescued people by dinghy from homes in Bristol after a water main burst.

Thousands of homes have had their water supply affected after the main burst in Fisher Road, Kingswood at about 17:00 BST.

Residents in 20 homes directly affected by flooding are to spend the night at a church hall rest centre, fire bosses said.

Bristol Water (BW) engineers are working to restore supplies.

Avon Fire and Rescue said 19 people and six dogs were rescued on inflatable dinghy.

Areas that have been affected include Kingswood, Pucklechurch, Mangotsfield, Oldland Common, Longwell Green, Barrs Court, Keynsham, Stockwood and Whitchurch.

Water tankers and bowsers will be provided as alternative water supplies until repairs can be carried out, BW said

Paul Kelson, of BW, said "many thousands of properties" had been affected.

A spokesman said some water supplies had been restored but a full repair could not be carried out until other damaged utilities had been isolated.

The British Red Cross has been on site to support those affected.