Large fountain springs up from fire hydrant in Southsea road
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Onlookers reported seeing water spring up from the side of Palmerston Road South following work carried out by Portsmouth City Council’s contractor Colas.
As a result of the leak, which was believed to have started at 9.10am, parts of the pedestrian-only road have been flooded.
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Hide AdOn the scene a Colas worker said a water company was on the way.
One of the directors of Wild Thyme, a shop overlooking the leak, said it was ‘quite beautiful.’
39-year-old Kelly Kemp said: ‘The workers were doing something and then it just sprayed out.
‘At first we thought it was meant to do that but after a few minutes we realised that wasn’t the case.
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Hide Ad‘Someone on social media said the road should be called “palmy road springs.”
‘It was quite beautiful but probably not ideal.’
Her colleague Tom Hussey, 37, added: ‘I saw it and thought oh my God there’s a fountain – then we just started taking pictures because why wouldn’t you?’
Portsmouth City Council said: ‘It wasn't a burst pipe on Palmerston Road South and no water company was involved as far as we're aware.
‘The Colas Grounds Maintenance team had popped a fire hydrant, but believe it was shut off by midday.’
Colas have been contacted for comment.
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