Update
Emergency crews with South West Water stopped the water flowing from the burst main at around 11.30am. Efforts are now being made to drain the flood water to clear the route and pavements. Neil Scott from Totally Truro said all businesses affected have now re-opened.
In a statement Wales and West Utilities said its staff were carrying out essential gas mains replacement work when they accidentally damaged the water main in Truro.
The statement added:"We immediately notified the water company of this and fully cooperated with them in dealing with the situation.To ensure the safety of road users and pedestrians, St Nicholas Street was temporarily closed while the water company made the area safe. The road has now reopened. We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused."
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There is flooding mayhem in the centre of Truro this morning after gas workers with Wales and West Utilities were thought to have hit a water main on the junction between Barclays and Nat West banks, on Boscawen Street.
Shops in St Nicholas Street have been hardest hit and some have had to close their doors and deploy sandbags as gushing water threatens to flood them out.
It is likely the problems will last for several hours.
It is thought the water main was accidentally punctured by gas company workers during the £3.5 million scheme to replace Truro's sewers.
A spokeswoman for South West Water said:I can confirm that another utility company working in Boscawen Street has hit a water main.
"There is an awful lot of water and it is going to cause problems for traffic and businesses and customers who don't have water at the moment."
She said an inspector was on their way and they would be able to turn off the water main. However, it is likely problems will last for several hours as the trenches that have been dug for the sewerage renewal programme are all flooded.
Hairdressers at Number Eight on St Nicholas Street had to race to the Co Op store to buy bottled water, after their supply ran out because of the burst main, so that they could rinse off a customer's hair that was being dyed.
Salon supervisor, Francesca Mercer said it was a "mad dash" to buy the water and that they had to cancel other appointments as a result of the incident.
Fat Face shop worker, Jasmine Cole, said they used sand bags to stop the rising water entering their store. She said that the on-going works had caused minor disruptions until today and was concerned at how long it would take to repair the water main.
Only buses, lorries and taxis have been allowed access along the street during the works. Vehicles were still being allowed through while thousands of gallons of water pumped into the street.
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