Residents watched in amazement as this huge water spout shot into the air from a damaged main.
The pipe, in Goring Road, Steyning, sprang a leak after workmen laying pipes disturbed the earth around it.
Onlooker Jean Whitney said: "I got home to find a huge fountain of water coming up from the ground.
"People came out to watch and it was causing quite a bit of excitement.
"I called 999 and about half an hour later the contractors came back and pushed a broom handle into the hole in the pipe to plug the leak.
"They worked on it all evening and finally got it under control quite late in the evening."
A spokesman for Southern Water said the leak was caused by a burst air valve in the pipe.
He said: "Only a minor repair was needed and it was done very quickly by the contractors."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article