Beeston: Damaged pipe sees water shooting over houses

Several homes were flooded when a damaged water pipe sent spray shooting metres into the air.

About 10 properties were evacuated when the pipe erupted near Gwenbrook Avenue and Lime Grove Avenue in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, at about 13:30 GMT.

Nottingham Express Transit (NET) said trams between Toton Lane and University Boulevard had been suspended.

Severn Trent said the leak was caused by a third party's building work and the pipe had since been repaired.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said people in the most of the flooded homes had been evacuated.

It said road closures, including nearby High Road, would remain in place as the water subsided and firefighters would remain on site to "clear water away" where they can.

As a result of the flooding, disruption on the tram network was due to continue into Wednesday, NET said on Tuesday evening.

Spray from the ruptured pipe covered several homes and part of Nottingham's tram network

One of the householders affected, 99-year-old Kathleen Collins, was escorted from her home in Audon Avenue by firefighters.

"I've lived here since 1939 and have never seen anything like it," she said.

"I realised something was wrong when the drains in the garden started lifting."

Resident Craig Henson was struck by a rock thrown into the air by water pressure.

"I was working in the conservatory and there was just this big bang," he said.

"All these rocks started flying and they smashed the windows and all water was coming in so I ran to get the dog.

"One of the rocks hit my foot, although it seems to be fine, but the house is completely flooded and ruined."

The damaged pipe has been fixed but there was still plenty of surface water about on Tuesday night

Jessica Stratford had her dog Cassie rescued by fire crews.

She told the BBC: "She was already a rescue at one [year old], so this is the second rescue of her life and she is 16 now."

A Severn Trent spokesperson said: "A third party has caused damage to one of our larger pipes as they were working on a building site in Beeston. Our teams are continuing to work in the area to minimise disruption.

"Customer water supplies are currently not affected, and we're working on the network to help keep supplies on during the repair, as well as bringing tankers to the area."

Tram passengers can use tickets and passes on Orange line buses.

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