ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Workers from the city of Asheville Water Resources Department were working Friday morning on waterlines in River Ridge Market Place after a main broke Thursday afternoon, sending water and debris shooting into the air.
“This is a pipe that exploded out of the ground,” Rizzo, a host of 105.9 the Mountain’s Rizzo and Jeff Show, said as he drove by the gushing water. “When they say, ‘When it rains, it pours,’ it really rains and pours.”
Full service was restored shortly after 9 a.m. Friday, Asheville Water Resources Department Public Information Officer Clay Chandler said.
“We haven’t had any businesses report damage. There were a handful of vehicles damaged when the main broke and shot asphalt from the parking lot into the air,” Chandler said.
Rizzo, who posted video of the spewing water to Facebook, was pulling into a nearby drive-through about 4:35 p.m. Thursday when he said the main “exploded.”
“It blew the blacktop everywhere. It was just crazy,” he said.
CLICK HERE TO SEE RIZZO’S FACEBOOK VIDEO
Chandler said the age of the water lines may have played a role in the break.
“This is a high-pressure area and a part of the system where the water lines are several decades old. That isn’t necessarily the cause per se, but it does increase the likelihood breaks occur,” he said.
Asheville Fire Department Public Information Officer Kelley Klope said no injuries were reported. Personnel secured the scene until water crews arrived.
