Leaky hydrants leave neighborhood streets iced over across Philadelphia

A thick sheet of ice covers Malcolm Street in the Kingsessing section of Philadelphia, the result of a leaking fire hydrant nearby as bitter cold temperatures continue to strain the city’s infrastructure.

The icy conditions on the 5300 block of Malcolm Street are just one of many examples playing out across the city this winter.

“Look at this. Come on now,” one resident said.

Neighbors say the hydrant at 54th Street and Whitby Avenue has been leaking for days, creating dangerous conditions and leaving residents frustrated by what they describe as a lack of response from the city.

“Water was running all night long,” said resident Robert Allen.

Lamar Washington said the water is still leaking and turning the block into an ice rink.

“It started from the fire hydrant. If you ride past, it’s still leaking,” Washington said.

Washington said the icy conditions have left residents feeling trapped, particularly those with mobility challenges.

“My step-pop, he’s old. Like, you can’t even get out. He’s in a wheelchair. How are you gonna roll him? People can’t even park,” he said.

In Kensington, residents are dealing with a similar situation.

“Saturday night, the fire hydrant started to leak water,” said Chris Barba, who lives on the 2600 block of Agate Street.

Barba said the area has been an icy mess for more than a week, with freezing temperatures undoing attempts to divert the water.

“The storm drain that we made a channel through, you can’t really see anymore. It’s frozen, and the water is now pushing onto the street, and it’s trying to push up on these houses. So we are a bit nervous,” Barba said.

In Tioga-Nicetown, crews with the Philadelphia Water Department worked to repair a water main break on the 1700 block of West Bristol Street. Some residents there were left without water and heat, while cars became stuck in ice.

Residents said the conditions have made it difficult – and in some cases impossible – to get out.

“We have nothing. We have nothing,” said Yolanda McFadden of Tioga-Nicetown.

“We have people coming down the street slipping and sliding, and we just need this fixed,” she said.

By Saturday afternoon, residents on Agate Street said the city had addressed the situation, shutting off water and working to clear the ice.

Action News reached out to the Philadelphia Water Department about the incident in Kingsessing. Officials said they are looking into it.