Families Evacuated As Sinkhole Opens Up In Hertfordshire Cul-De-Sac

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Giant 66ft St Albans sinkhole swallows residential street

sinkhole

Families in a quiet Hertfordshire cul-de-sac were shocked to find a giant sinkhole (20 meters (66ft) across and 10 meters (33ft) deep) had swallowed up a chunk of their neighborhood.

Some of the residents were fored to evacuate their homes in the middle of the night.

RT reports: Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue appeared on the scene at 1.30am on Thursday morning after residents heard a crash in the night.

At least 10 people were taken to an evacuation center set up at nearby Batchwood Hall nightclub, according to the fire service.

The sinkhole started as a small hole in the road a few days ago, according to Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue service watch commander John Hudnott.

It was thought at the time the hole was caused by a leak in the water main.

“They had a sinkhole in Hemel [Hempstead] this year or last but I’ve never seen one like this,” he said.

“I have absolutely no idea how long it’s going to take to get the power back on. We thought it was the water leak, but now we’re not so sure.”

Gas, water and electricity supplies in the area have been turned off, leaving 58 houses without any utilities.

Some families are unable to return to their homes and are being rehoused by the local authority.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said it was too early to say when residents could return to their homes.

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