Pennsylvania American Water workers try to find a drain after a water main break Wednesday that happened as firefighters battled a house blaze on Third Avenue. The street remained damaged Thursday.

The 100-year-old water main that broke Wednesday when firefighters tapped a hydrant is nearing the end of its use, a spokesman for the water company said.

Gary Lobaugh, a spokesman for Pennsylvania American Water, said that a six-inch break formed on the century-old cast iron pipe after firefighters responding to a fire on Third Avenue tried to connect to a nearby fire hydrant. The break allowed pressurized water to burst through the street, crumbling a section of the block's road. On Thursday, the street was still damaged by the leftover crater.

Because of the water loss, approximately 45 customers with the water company were without service until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Lobaugh said. And the pipe underneath might break again.

“Now, it's a candidate for replacement,” Lobaugh said. “At this point, we're going to monitor it. If it continues to break over the year, then we'll prioritize it.”