A burst water main flooded homes and brought rush-hour chaos to one of the Leicester's busiest commuter routes this morning.
The burst 27-in main in Lanesborough Road flooded nearby homes, with water two-feet deep in places.
The burst ruptured the road surface with one resident describing the noise as being "like a bomb going off".
Two schools Rushey Mead Secondary and Rushey Mead Primary were closed because they had no running water.
Melton Road between Watermead Way and Checketts Road was closed to traffic in both directions from 5.30am until 8.30am.
Drivers were forced to take alternative routes into the city centre.
The worst affected roads were Lanesborough Road, Wavertree Drive, Sandringham Avenue, Berridge Lane and Clarke Street.
Leicester City Council Highways staff delivered sandbags to some of the worst affected homes.
