PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Cleanup is underway after a burst pipe flooded a parking garage in the Spring Garden section of Philadelphia, flooding nearly 20 vehicles and leaving drivers scrambling to salvage their cars.
The flooding happened late Saturday night into early Sunday morning at a garage on the 1600 block of Callowhill Street.
Video captured water gushing into the lower level, where rows of parked cars sat as the space began to resemble a swimming pool.
Drivers returned to find their vehicles sitting in standing water. Some waded through the freezing conditions in attempts to move their cars, while others tried to drive out. Many vehicles ultimately had to be towed.
Ashlee Case, who lives in Spring Garden, said she had just gotten her car two days earlier.
“I open my car door and my foot stepped into puddles,” Case said.
Dawood Khan of Northeast Philadelphia said he felt sympathy for those impacted.
“That’s very bad, I feel bad for those cars that got flooded,” Khan said.
He added, “I wouldn’t want to come back after going to school hearing that my car is flooded.”
Firefighters responded Saturday night but were unable to locate the shut-off valve. The Philadelphia Water Department was also on scene and said the pipe is not city-owned, though crews assisted with the response.
Calls and emails have been placed to both the garage owner and the property management company, but there has been no response.
For some drivers, the flooding has shaken their confidence in using the garage again.
“Never again, I wouldn’t trust this place at all,” Khan said.
Case said she was able to receive a refund on her monthly garage pass.
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