Water main break in Pittsburgh’s Troy Hill neighborhood damages home

PITTSBURGH — There was a water main break near some homes and city steps in Troy Hill Friday morning and it caused a landslide that damaged a home down the hill.

“I just heard the water flowing which sounded like raging rapids at Kennywood,” said Jonathon Pyles.

Jonathon Pyles lives with his mom and grandmother and he took a cell phone video of water rushing towards his house.

“I was outside getting ready to cut the weeds down when I noticed the water running and my cousin and I walked to the top to see how bad it was flowing,” said Pyles.

It turns out, two-inch line broke near their home, according to the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority. It happened around 8:30 a.m. near Hatteras Street in Troy Hill.

“And then ten minutes later is when the hillside actually came down,” said Pyles. “It was a louder crash from all the dirt and rocks hitting onto the house. It actually caved in our back patio roof,”

Pyles showed Channel 11 the damage to the back of their home. The water was so strong, it also brought down their retaining wall.

“We are worried the fire department said as of right now, it does look somewhat unsafe and if the water wasn’t shut off soon, more could come down and cause internal damage to the home,” said Pyles.

Crews were able to shut off the water 3 hours later. Two houses are without water until crews fix the line which is expected to be repaired by the end of today.

Crews were also assessing any possible damage to the foundation of the city steps. The city’s Mobility and Infrastructure will make those repairs if needed.

Pyles said they are safe to stay in their home. Right now, they are working with the water authority to get the back of their house fixed.

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