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Broken water main cripples downtown London, Ontario

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Friday, November 2, 2007

Sinkhole in Downtown London, Ontario.
Image: Compmouse.

Just before 5 a.m. on October 31, 2007, a water main broke underground in the middle of downtown London, Ontario at the intersection of Wellington and Dundas. As water gushed 5 metres up into the air the pavement slowly eroded over several hours eventually causing a giant sinkhole 9 m wide and 4 m deep; large enough for a city bus to hide in.

The quickly escaping water eventually flooded the entire basement of the Galleria Mall including the underground parking. The flooding affected several major electrical systems and left several downtown businesses over several blocks without power including City Hall, the Galleria Mall, both TD Bank Buildings and CIBC until 9 p.m. that night.

Sources

[edit]
Wikinews
Wikinews
This article features first-hand journalism by Wikinews members. See the collaboration page for more details.
Wikinews
Wikinews
This article features first-hand journalism by Wikinews members. See the collaboration page for more details.
  • Am980. Pointing Fingers for Watermain Break — CFPL (AM), November 2, 2007
  • Valerie Lita. Affected Power Loss Area — Google Maps, October 31, 2007
  • Patrick Maloney. Size of downtown sinkhole stuns onlookers — Sun Media, October 31, 2007
  • Randy Richmond and Patrick Maloney. Downtown remains dark as blackout drags on — Sun Media, October 31, 2007


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