Seven homes had to be evacuated after a ‘massive’ sinkhole opened up.
A major incident has been declared after a “massive” sinkhole opened up in a market town in Lancashire. Seven homes were evacuated after the hole appeared in Green Field, Darwen, on Sunday morning. A whole section of the surrounding area has been cordoned off by the emergency services.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said it sent a fire engine and drone unit. The official response is being led by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council which declared the major incident.
A sinkhole has opened up in Darwen, Lancashire (Image: Lancs Live)
A council worker told Lancashire Live that a nearby leisure centre could be opened up to accommodate those who have had to leave their homes.
The hole is at a new build housing estate, with some locals claiming recent heavy rains and issues with drainage led to the chasm opening up.
A woman who only gave the name Wendy, who lives nearby, said she heard from a neighbour that the hole is 50ft deep.
Dog walker, John Grimshaw, said: “There was a hell of a lot of rain yesterday and with all this construction going on you can imagine how it might have caused problems.”
He added: “We have seen a few problems with drainage round here so I do think all that rain yesterday is probably what’s caused it.”
Another resident, who has lived in nearby Rudyard Drive for 25 years, told LancsLive he wasn’t at all surprised to hear about the hole.
The local council, emergency services and utilities company are at the scene (Image: Lancs Live/MEN Media)
The road has been closed and a cordon set up (Image: Lancs Live/MEN Media)
He said: “There has been issues with this land for years and years in terms of drainage and coal mine shafts underground. It seemed to us they just wanted to build houses wherever they can in Darwen and we are are not surprised.
“I just feel really sorry for the people affected and I hope they can find somewhere to go.”
The council said in a statement that a major incident was declared in Darwen after the appearance of a sinkhole.
It added: “Seven homes have been evacuated in Green Field, off Pole Lane. Our teams are working alongside the emergency services and utility companies at the site.
“The site developer has also been informed and is supporting efforts. Our priority is the safety of all residents in the area.
“A road closure is in place for Green Field. While Pole Lane remains open, residents are asked to avoid the area.”
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed in a statement that firefighters were at the scene at 7.21am.
