Update: Water Service Restored After Early Morning Water Main Break

(This article was updated at 2:48 p.m.)

After nearly 11 hours of work, water service was restored to affected South End residents around 2 p.m., the Water and Sewer Commission reported on its website.

"The repairs are being finalized and roadway restoration will begin this afternoon," the Commission said in a statement.

Residents of portions of Shawmut Ave. and Worcester St. had been without water service since a water main break occured early this morning. Residents of 515 Shawmut Ave. were forced to evacuate their homes around 3 a.m. as water flooded the West Springfield St. intersection and forced officials to close one lane of Mass Ave.

Water gushing out of the pipe caused a sinkhole, forcing one car to be towed. Surrounding streets and sidewalks turned icy quickly, as crews worked to repair the break while scattering sand and salt.

The nearby Hurley School was opened as a shelter and MBTA  buses were brought in for residents to stay warm.

At 7:30 a.m., no residents had sought shelter at the school, an administrator said.

"It's been open as an option but no one has come yet," she said.

A small portion of Shawmut Ave. from West Springfield St. to Mass Ave. remained closed at 2 p.m. as work to repair the break continued.

Thursday morning, Boston Water and Sewer Spokeswoman Jeanne Richardson said the Commission's top priority would be isolating the break and restoring service. The Commission will be updating its website to keep the public informed, she said.

(Stephen Walsh contributed to this report.)