Residents of Woolwich, South-East London, faced an alarming situation as a massive sinkhole, measuring 7 meters (23 feet) deep, opened up in the area, leading to the evacuation of three homes. The incident occurred on St Mary Street, following a burst water main that caused the gaping hole.
The London Fire Brigade responded promptly to the emergency call received at 9.30pm on Tuesday. Approximately 15 firefighters, along with three fire engines, were deployed to the scene to address the crisis. The team worked diligently to evacuate 11 people from the affected properties and established a 25-meter (82-foot) safety cordon to prevent further harm. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries related to the incident.
The sinkhole, which posed significant danger, was reported to be 7 meters deep, 10 meters (32 feet) long, and 3 meters (10 feet) wide. To ensure public safety, St Mary Street was closed between Sunbury Street and Kingsman Street while the fire brigade and other emergency services worked to secure the area.
The efforts of the firefighters culminated in the scene being declared safe shortly before 01:00 GMT on Wednesday, with the brigade leaving the site after ensuring no immediate danger remained.
This incident in Woolwich adds to a series of sinkholes that have appeared in London, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and quick response to such geological occurrences.
