The 24-inch pipe, installed in 1922, burst near Manchester Boulevard and Hoover Street at about 3:30 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
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The break led to water gushing from sidewalk to sidewalk, turning streets into rivers. The mess was also reaching the 110 Freeway nearby.
The intersection was closed off as crews worked to shut off the water, including two lines at Vermont Avenue and Figueroa Street.
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About 23 customers, including several businesses, were impacted by the mess, officials said.
Residents in the area said they were surprised to see the river of water filling the streets throughout the morning.
"We woke up this morning and a lot of water everywhere, splashing water all over the cars, kids can't walk down the street, and I just came out to see what was going on," said resident Terrance Smith.
The pipe burst led to traffic delays and a buckled street along the Manchester and Hoover intersection.