Local

Belltown residents, businesses without water after water main break

A water main break in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood flooded part of First Avenue and cut water to 135 residential and commercial units Friday night.

Water was shut off going to the water main about 7 p.m., and Seattle Public Utilities crews said they had to cut into the asphalt to find the cause of the break.

Service returned, after repair, at about 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

Thai On One restaurant had to close Friday because of the water problem. Crews were expected to work through the night.

When KIRO 7 reporter Natasha Chen arrived about 6:20 p.m. authorities moved her and others away from the scene because of concerns about the asphalt caving in.

When a bus drove by, the pavement buckled. The waterflow was in the left, northbound bus lane.

Buses routes 1, 2, 13, 15, 17, 19, 24, 29, 33. and Rapid Ride D were re-routed because of the water problem.

Police closed several blocks around First Avenue and Eagle Street, which is two blocks from Denny Way.

There was no indication Friday that the problem was caused by Bertha, the viaduct replacement tunnel digging machine. Bertha was not moving Friday and about 7/10 of a mile away, near First Avenue and Virginia Street.

UPDATE: 134 people were without water in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood after a water main break. DETAILS >> kiro.tv/WaterMainBreak

Posted by KIRO 7 News on Friday, October 7, 2016