Sinkhole Opens On West Pullman Street
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A massive sinkhole opened up overnight in the West Pullman neighborhood, swallowing part of a street and adjoining parkway.
CBS 2's Susanna Song reports the 20-by-80-foot hole came within a few yards of a couple houses, and residents said it has grown bigger since it first appeared Sunday night near 124th Street and Wentworth Avenue.
The sinkhole appeared to be the result of a leak in a pipe servicing a nearby house. The leak appeared to gradually erode and wash out the support from under the road.
Overnight, the road gave way, and the concrete broke through, causing the water main under the street to break.
A slab of concrete ended up leaning against a gas pipe under the street.
The homeowner who lives next to the hole said the street flooded Sunday, and she saw a small hole before she went to bed. She woke up when she heard part of the street collapse.
"I was inside the house, and I heard something boom. I jumped up out the bed, I said 'Oh my God, what's going on now?'" Doloris Alexander said. "I came outside, and saw that big hole."
The Water Department immediately shut off the water, and the city has been providing bottled water to residents who lost water service. Officials hope to turn the water back on Monday afternoon.
Work crews continued making repairs into the evening.
