Tijuana, Mexico, 7:18 p.m. PST March 8, 2001 -- A water pipe broke in a Tijuana neighborhood early Wednesday morning, destroying five homes and leaving 300,000 without water, 10News reported.

The water flow was like a river running past her house, resident Maria Acevedo said.

Crews were busy digging and installing a new pipe Thursday, but water service was expected to be shut off for at least four days.

Engineers say the city will probably not pay for damages. They blame recent rains for softening up the hillside, which led to the water main break.

Carmen Guzman and other residents blame the lack of maintenance to the old pipe.

Homeowner Jesus Zamora stood by Thursday with tears in his eyes as he told 10News that his house would be demolished to make way for the new line.

The pipe is expected to be repaired by Sunday evening. Until then, residents on the West side of Tijuana are depending on bottled water.