PITTSBURGH - Water leaking from a 36-inch water main caused an area of the Boulevard of the Allies to sink at the intersection with Commonwealth Place and the inbound ramp from the Fort Pitt Bridge.The sinkhole rapidly expanded throughout the day and by 4 p.m.,the north end of the Post-Gazette building at 34 Boulevard of the Allies had collapsed into the hole.
Popular sports columnist Bob Smizik was busy preparing a rare non-sports column titled "The sinkhole is exactly what Pittsburgh needs" when he and his desk were swallowed into the chasm without warning. Witnesses walking on the other side of the Boulevard of the Allies say that a sound akin to a "violent burp" erupted from the hole, "as if the earth suddenly had heartburn."
Judge Rufus Peckham, founder and editor of this news source, issued a statement extending his condolences to the Post-Gazette and to Mr. Smizik's family and readers. Judge Peckham added that in the event the Post-Gazette is entirely swallowed up by the sinkhole, the Carbolic Smoke Ball would continue to offer the people of Western Pennsylvania a viable news alternative.
More details in tomorrow's Carbolic Smoke Ball.
