4 August 2006
Water spouted more than 10 metres into the air when a burst main flooded two houses and a number of gardens and closed the A40 West Wycombe Road in High Wycombe on Thursday evening.
The burst happened at the site of recent water company excavations about 20 metres behind the nearest house. One group of residents two gardens away ran for cover as water, chalk and pebbles were thrown from the trench and cascaded over their barbecue.
Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service received the first of three calls to an "explosion and flooding“ at 9:14pm. On arrival, Crew Manager Gordon Richardson and crews from High Wycombe and Princes Risborough quickly evaluated the situation, assisted by Thames Valley Police who had already closed the A40 West Wycombe Road. The Marlow fire boat and crew were put on standby from High Wycombe Fire Station.
As a priority, the safety of local residents and bystanders was checked and action was taken to prevent further water damage. Sandbags were positioned to reduce the flow of water into the properties closest to the burst, and blockages, including wooden garden furniture that had been washed away, were removed to prevent the water level from rising.
During the incident water supplies to a large area of High Wycombe were cut, including supplies to fire hydrants. Measures were put into place to make sure that additional water would be supplied in case of a fire.
Because of the gradient of the ground, the water drained away quickly via the Rye and storm drains in the A40.
Thames Water arrived at the scene at 9.42pm and were able to stem the flow of water by 9.52pm.
Damage was confined to the two houses and the gardens affected by water. We are pleased to report that there were no injuries. Water supplies were quickly reinstated, although the A40 remained closed for some time after the incident while Buckinghamshire County Council cleared away large quantities of soil, clay and shingle left by the torrent.