Several homes evacuated in Port Richmond

At least 20 people were forced from their homes Wednesday afternoon in Port Richmond after a water-main break and concern about a suspected gas leak, officials said.

A six-inch water main break was reported sometime after 3 p.m. in the 3000 block of Livingston Street, said Laura Copeland, a spokeswoman for the Philadelphia Water Department.

"We pulled our crew because of a strong odor of gas," Copeland said.

Melanie McCottry, a spokeswoman for the Philadelphia Gas Works, said there was no gas leak, but service was turned off to 18 homes at the scene to keep water from entering a gas main.

McCottry said the evacuations were due to water entering homes. Fire officials reported at least 20 people were initially evacuated.

At least 10 properties reported having water in their basement, Copeland said.

Four people will stay at the Red Cross shelter overnight, said Sara Smith, a spokeswoman for the aid organization.

No injuries were reported. - Robert Moran