CHICAGO (WLS) — What looked like a geyser appeared on Chicago’s Northwest Side, after a contractor hit a water main Monday afternoon.

The issues began in a residential area near Bryn Mawr Avenue and Courtland Avenue around 1:30 p.m.

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It turned into a kind of neighborhood spectacle. The Villagomez family was among those watching.

“I take a peek, and all I see is just this random kind of waterfall, water shooting up in the air out of nowhere,” said Angela Villagomez, who lives nearby.

It took the city’s water department some seven hours to shut off the water, finally stopping it around 8:30 p.m. Before that, residents had a front-row seat to the more than curious sight.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s very strange to see a geyser in our front lawn,” said Claudia Villagomez, who lives nearby.

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With the situation ongoing for hours, there was concern about the potential for flooding in the neighborhood as water pooled in the streets.

“We’ve been checking the basement, making sure that we’re still dry. We’re good so far. I’ve talked to a few of the neighbors around here. They’re OK, so far,” Claudia said.

Residents watched as water shot some 50 feet into the air, from a broken water main.

The city’s water department says a contractor hit a 48-inch water main, which ABC7 has learned services the western suburbs. Officials say customers did not lose water.

“I feel like they’re trying to get this water situation under control, but it just seems like it’s kind of taking them a little bit of awhile to figure it out,” Angela said.

Streets were closed around the water main break, but neighbors closest to that water main told ABC7 their basements are dry on Monday night.