Sinkhole swallows SUV in Port Richmond

Dozens of homes were without water after a sinkhole swallowed an SUV in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia on Tuesday.

It happened at around 1:30 p.m. on the 2700 block of Birch Street.

Crews worked for hours Tuesday to remove the Silver Chevy after it was swallowed up by the sinkhole and a second car, a white Mazda, teetered on the edge.

After the street caved in, the Philadelphia Water Department shut down a six-inch main and service to dozens of homes to make repairs, according to the Inquirer.

Residents in the area said the owner of the white Mazda was out of town Tuesday, according to Action News at 10.

The silver Chevy is owned by Philadelphia police officer Steve Williams’s wife.

“I got a call from my wife, she said something happened outside the house. I came home a little early, I get home, I pull up, and lo and behold her vehicle is in a sinkhole,” said Williams.

Crews towed the white Mazda, but the Chevy SUV stayed inside the sinkhole for several hours as crews prepared to safely remove it.

According to reports, the SUV was removed from the sinkhole just after 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

As of Wednesday morning, water service had been restored to all those affected by the incident, according to residents in the area.

Water could be seen leaking down the side of the sinkhole as debris laid across the roadway and crews prepared to continue repairs.

According to the water department, Birch Street will remain closed between Salmon and Edgemont Streets as repairs continue.

There are no reports of any injuries.

Anyone impacted by the sinkhole should call 215-685-6300.