Seven Pasadena homes became wastelands when backflow from work on a clogged sewer line exploded out of their toilets and drains. The powerful surge of raw sewage backed up into the homes yesterday and even blew open toilet lids.

Homeowner Janice Duenas says, “It was like a volcano out of the commode.” Sewage covered the hardwood floors in most of Duenas three-bedroom home. She estimates a cost of more than five thousand dollars for cleanup.

A Pasadena city official says workers followed standard procedures in clearing the blocked sewer line and could not have predicted that sewage would flow downhill and back-up into the homes. City councilman Paul Little said residents would get reimbursed for the cleanup costs.