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Water Line Break Floods Basements In Midtown

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Basements were left flooded in multiple buildings in the Garment District Wednesday afternoon, following a water line break on Sixth Avenue.

As CBS 2's Joe Beirmann reported from Chopper 2, the city Department of Environmental Protection reported the private water supply line for fire suppression broke in the building at 1008 Sixth Ave., near 37th Street.

Basement floods were reported in the commercial buildings at 1006, 1008, 1010 and 1144 Sixth Ave. Water was shut to prevent more flooding, but no one lost service.

Owners of businesses were scrambling to their basements to clear merchandise, which was submerged in cold, filthy brown water.

Meanwhile, crews brought out jackhammers to dig up the damaged water equipment on Sixth Avenue.

Several lanes were closed on Sixth Avenue between 37th and 38th Street, and the city advised motorists to expect traffic delays.

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