Massive Sinkhole Opens Up In Sunset Park, Brooklyn
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Crews are continuing to work to repair a massive sinkhole that's causing major problems in Brooklyn -- but say there's no guarantee it will be fixed by Tuesday evening.
The crater opened up just before 7 a.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 64th Street in Sunset Park.
Quick thinking civilian Edwin Donis, who was first on the scene, undoubtedly prevented injuries, or worse, as he was stopping vehicles and pedestrians from plunging into the hole, CBS2's Steve Langford reports.
#HappeningNow: ongoing #FDNY operations at sinkhole at 5th Ave & 64 St in #Brooklyn. pic.twitter.com/jFp2NjxkFC
— FDNY (@FDNY) August 4, 2015
"There were cars on it just minutes before," Frank Bowman, whose rooftop surveillance camera captured the cave-in, told WCBS 880's Marla Diamond. "There was no warning, this thing just happened quick."
No injuries were reported.
The 20-foot-wide and 20-foot-deep sinkhole has become the newest neighborhood attraction.
"I've never seen anything like this," one man said. "This is really crazy."
The cause is likely a leak in a 48-inch cast iron water main, officials say.
"It appears to be some sort of water leak that undermined the road, washed away the earth and that's why the street gave way," FDNY Deputy Chief Peter Leicht told CBS2's Langford.
A resident who did not want to be identified told Langford that neighbors have been calling about the sinking pavement and sidewalk for ages now.
"There's a lot of different agencies that have been involved or contacted and none of them want to take any action," the woman said.
Several neighbors agreed and said the corner looks like it had been sinking for some time, especially after a soaking rain storm.
Construction under the nearby Brooklyn-Queens Expressway has been diverting large trucks down the narrow road, leading some nearby residents to speculate it became weak from all of that weight, Diamond reported.
Northbound N subway service is experiencing delays due to the sinkhole.
The Department of Environmental Protection said it has no guarantees that repairs will be completed by by the end of the day Tuesday.