Bra and pants blamed for sewerage flood

A bra and pair of knickers were to blame for a flood that damaged more than 20 homes and caused excrement to flow down a street.

Northumbrian Water said yesterday that the underwear had been flushed down a toilet - but later snagged on a sewage pipe under a busy road.

Water could flow past the bra - which caused the sewer to collapse, and inturn caused the road to crack open on Friday.



Northumbrian Water spokeswoman said: "When we dug down, we found a bra and knickers had snagged itself across the nine-inch diameter of the pipe.

"There was also a heavy build-up of grease and fat. The pipes are not designed to carry that, and they're certainly not designed to carry bras and knickers."

The company are now urging all residents to think carefully about what they put down the sink and toilet.

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