Two Headington streets were flooded after a water main burst yesterday, cutting supplies to around 100 homes and road access into Oxford.

Old Road and Quarry Road residents were woken by firefighters at 6.50am to find gallons of water gushing down their streets.

Emergency work by Thames Water left a 10ft-wide hole in Old Road, blocking access to homes east of the Quarry Road junction.

The firm said access was due to be restored by last night, although repair work could take all week.

Properties had a water supply, it added.

Thames Water spokesman Simon Evans said: “We have had one report of internal flooding – a couple of inches of water entered the utility room only of a house on Old Road. We are really sorry for the occupants of this house, and to everyone affected.”

Residents said there had been previous problems with drainage.

Quarry Road resident Ian Barnes said: “The fire brigade did a really good job, but Thames Water were very slow. I am surprised they did not have a quicker emergency response.”

Thames Water said it received reports of the burst water main at 8.30am and engineers had turned off the water supply to the broken pipe by 9.10am.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, who visited the area, said: “It is very worrying for the residents.”