Sinkhole swallows SUV in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, Pa. (WPHL) — 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 water service to around 30 homes to make repairs.

Water was restored to affected residents overnight, the water department said Wednesday.

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.

According to the water department, crews removed and towed both vehicles from the sinkhole by late Tuesday night.

On Wednesday morning, water could be seen leaking down the side of the sinkhole as debris laid across the roadway and crews prepared to continue repairs.

Birch Street will remain closed between Salmon and Edgemont Streets as crews assess the sinkhole and repairs continue, according to the water department.

There are no reports of any injuries.

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