ROD GUAJARDO/THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — John Carradine removes dirt, cement and water from an excavated hole at the intersection of Jefferson and Canal streets. A new fire hydrant and section of pipe had to be installed after an 18-wheeler struck the previous fire hydrant on the corner.

NATCHEZ — What started out as a simple accident Thursday afternoon led to hours of construction to repair a water line that was damaged on the corner of Jefferson and Canal streets.

A large portion of the road at the intersection had to be excavated after an 18-wheeler turning right onto Canal Street struck a fire hydrant with its back right tire.

Natchez Water Works shut off several valves in the area surrounding the hydrant after the accident and during the installation of the new hydrant.

Since many of the houses and businesses draw water from a back line, only three buildings were without water during the installation of the new hydrant.

The Natchez Convention Center, Natchez Post Office and the House on Ellicott Hill were without water until Thursday night.

After installing the new red and silver Mueller hydrant, leakage in the water line that connects to the hydrant led to the excavation of the road.

The water line runs up North Canal Street and does a 45-degree turn at that intersection toward the bluff and connects with another main line that comes down South Canal Street.

A piece of damaged pipe was sawed off and new piping was installed.

The new pipe runs from the hydrant to the old pipe, which will be connected with a fitting, said Charles Gamberi, a employee with Natchez Water Works.

Natchez Police Department officer Adrian Shorter completed a report with the driver of the 18-wheeler and the time of the accident. Shorter said no charges would be filed.

“It’s just a simple accident,” Shorter said.