NEWARK -- A major water main break in Newark early Monday has flooded homes, stranded cars and forced the suspension of light rail service.

Rescuers brought out inflatable boats to assist residents stuck in homes on the flooded streets.

The water main break in the area of North 5th Street and Park Avenue has halted the light rail between in both directions between Orange Street and Bloomfield Avenue just before 6 a.m, NJ Transit said.

In response to the main break, which occurred at about 4:30 a.m., police said they closed several streets in the area, including North 5th Street from 4th Avenue to 6th Avenue and Park Avenue from 1st Street to 6th

.

In addition, several trains on the Morris & Essex and Main/Bergen/Port Jervis lines were canceled this morning due to mechanical problems, the agency said.

Massive water main break along north 5th street in Newark. Some homes being evacuated. Many can't reach their cars. @ABC7NY pic.twitter.com/S7e8hIQUCe — Candace McCowan (@CandaceMcCowan7) October 30, 2017

#Breaking Water main break in Newark on Park Ave and N 5th Street pic.twitter.com/nheNJdgxox — Lisa Mateo (@LisaMateoTV) October 30, 2017

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.