The FDNY says homes in a Brooklyn neighborhood were evacuated due to a water main break on Wednesday.

Homes along Fourth Avenue were evacuated due to water in the basements and the power has been shut off, the FDNY says.

The FDNY says it started around 10 a.m., but residents say it started earlier at around 9 a.m. 

The FDNY says the sidewalk is damaged and possibly dangerous. 

At least five buildings were evacuated because of flooding to the basement. News 12 spoke to the landlord of one of the buildings and a man who lives around the corner, and both say there was work being done Tuesday and Wednesday morning before the incident happened. 

The Department of Environmental Protection says a contractor operating a drill hit the main and started the leak. 

They say the parties responsible will be billed for the costs. They’re asking people in the area to avoid drinking discolored water that comes from their taps, because of the incident. 

They also say there may be road closures for several days. They say there are still repairs that need to be made.