A burst water main has flooded several central Queenstown streets, sweeping away cars, inundating a luxury hotel and sending debris into Lake Wakatipu.
Fire crews were called mid-morning after the water main on Thompson St burst, sending water cascading down the street as well as Brunswick St and Lake Esplanade.
![Parked cars were swept away by the flooding caused by a burst main in Queenstown. Photo / Queenstown Lakes District Council](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/5OYX4XX5GIBAT65OR4BJEM44FU.jpg?auth=07de6037f643103bf7acb290f0765128e1979f7bded350414365cb6495e3ced8&width=16&height=22&quality=70&smart=true)
A reporter at the scene said a 300-metre stretch of Thompson St has been cordoned off by police.
A Queenstown Lakes District Council spokesperson said the flooding happened after a contractor hit a 300-400mm water main pipe on Thompson St.