UPDATED: Struck Hydrant Floods Road

Six homes are without water this morning after a vehicle struck a fire hydrant about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday where Atlantic, Blodgett and Shepard avenues come together.

Water should be restored to the houses by 3:30 p.m. at the latest said Paul Plourde of DPW. 

Swampscott police are diverting traffic on the inbound side of Atlantic, sending cars up Phillips Avenue.

Crews shut off water at two gates on Atlantic last night.

The hydrant, when struck, spun around and water leached into the ground, heaving the road, he said.

The road has since settled and does not appear to be in need of major work.

The crew — five DPW workers including Plourde worked through the night — is replacing the hydrant, the 6-inch piece of pipe that enters the hydrant gate, and the pipe that connects the gate to the water main, said Director Gino Cresta.

The DPW director expects they will be working at the site all day.

The department had a new hydrant in stock to replace the out-dated model that the vehicle struck.

Lt. Bob Surette said firefighters were called to Shepard and Atlantic at 10:45 p.m.

The front of a compact car had struck the hydrant, knocking it back where it rested at an angle, he said. 

The two women in the vehicle refused medical attention, he said.

The car's airbags had deployed and its horn was blasting away until firefighters disconnected the battery.

Water bubbled up from below the hydrant and the road was lifting.

"It was a mess," he said.

Police were on the scene and diverted traffic.

The car was towed away.