More than two dozen people are out of their homes after a huge sinkhole was discovered underneath a vacant home. Inspectors have to figure out what’s causing it and whether it’s safe for people to go back to their homes.
Several dozen eastern Pennsylvania families have been forced to find new homes at least temporarily after a sinkhole opened under their street.
Officials in Allentown said the hole spotted by a resident at about 1 p.m. Saturday prompted evacuation of a block of row homes.
Fire Chief Robert Scheirer said officials hope to be able to shore up and repair the homes, but residents would probably be displaced for a few days or longer.
Engineers will send a robotic camera down to see how deep the hole is and test how fast it's spreading.
In December a water main break and a sinkhole elsewhere forced two dozen Allentown residents to evacuate.
In 1994, a sinkhole damaged the city's Corporate Plaza building, which had to be demolished.
