Los Angeles – Early Wednesday morning, crews from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) were on the scene of a water main break on Normandie Avenue near Franklin Street in the Los Feliz neighborhood when a sinkhole suddenly opened beneath a work van.
Incident details
The sinkhole, which formed around the time the water main repair was underway, swallowed a Spectrum telecommunications van that had been dispatched to the area earlier in the day. According to Spectrum, the employee inside the vehicle is “fine” and is receiving medical evaluation as a precaution.
Response and repairs
LADWP officials quickly secured the area, halted traffic on Normandie Avenue, and deployed emergency response teams to assess the damage. The department confirmed that the sinkhole was directly related to the water main break, which caused the ground to give way under the weight of the van.
City engineers are now working to fill the sinkhole, reinforce the surrounding pavement, and replace the compromised water main. The repair effort is expected to take several hours, during which time motorists are advised to use alternate routes on nearby streets such as Western Avenue and Hillhurst Avenue.
Impact on the community
Los Feliz residents expressed concern about the sudden collapse, but praised the swift response from city crews and Spectrum’s cooperation with first responders. “We’re grateful that no one was hurt,” said one nearby homeowner. “It’s a reminder that our infrastructure needs constant attention, and it’s good to see the city act quickly.”
The incident underscores the importance of regular maintenance of aging water infrastructure in Los Angeles. LADWP has pledged to increase inspections of vulnerable water lines in the area to prevent similar occurrences.
What’s next?
Officials will continue monitoring the repaired site for any signs of further ground movement. Spectrum plans to resume its service calls in Los Feliz once the road is cleared and safety checks are completed.
Residents can stay updated on the repair status by checking LADWP’s website or following the department’s social‑media channels.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
