PORTLAND -- Police were looking for a pickup that hit a fire hydrant, causing a traffic mess after a sinkhole formed in the Southeast Portland road.
The water main break Wednesday night was causing flooding and a road closure that continued through Thursday.
Officials with the Portland Water Bureau said a large truck hit a fire hydrant located at SE 112th & Division, causing a rupture on the eight-inch water main, which in turn, created a sinkhole.
There was a traffic backup on SE Division Street, where two lanes remained closed between 105th and 112th. Crews had largely patched up the hole by Thursday evening, and planned to have it back open Thursday night.
Police investigators said it was considered a criminal investigation.
Slideshow: Sinkhole aerials
City officials said the gushing hydrant was a "water hammer" that battered the pavement.
"Customers in the general, affected area might experience dirty water at their taps this evening. They are advised to let their water run until it clears out. At that point it is safe to drink," said Jennie Day-burget, a spokeswoman with the Portland Water Bureau. "A rupture to a major main can stir up sediment in the water causing the dirty appearance. Letting it run until clear allows any sediment to clear out."
A crew was working to throttle down the water main, drain the water and then make repairs underground.
Day-Burget said the Water Bureau was using social media to keep area customers updates, including Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and the Portland Water blog.
Supervisor Doug Quan added that crews had not been able to open all traffic lanes as hoped and two lanes of SE Division between 105th and 112th were still closed.
