WINNIPEG – More than 70 customers were forced from their rooms after a water main break flooded the basement of a Winnipeg motel.

The water was about two metres deep in the lower level of the Airport Motor Inn by the time crews managed to get a handle on the overnight break.

Emergency officials say crews from Manitoba Hydro had to be called in to help turn off power to the building before workers could safely start pumping the water.

About 54 of the evacuees were taken on transit buses to another hotel.

The remaining guests left in their own vehicles.

The break also flooded a number of streets in the area.