Orlando, FL – A sinkhole that formed beneath an Orlando townhome prompted an emergency response and forced multiple residents from their homes over safety concerns.
The sinkhole was reported at the Villas of Costa Del Sol community, where the ground opened beneath the rear section of a residential property.
Orlando police, firefighters and American Red Cross representatives responded to the neighborhood Sunday evening as residents were moved out of the affected homes.
By Monday, city officials had posted condemnation notices on two townhomes, preventing residents from returning until the properties are considered safe.
Images from the scene showed the sinkhole extending beneath part of one structure. Nearby residents also expressed concern about whether the ground could continue shifting or affect additional homes.
A resident who lives across the street told News 6 that sinkholes had appeared in the neighborhood before, but said this incident was different because of how close the hole was to a home.
The neighborhood homeowners association president said an estimated seven or eight people were displaced.
Residents later received a notice from the HOA stating that repairs would be the responsibility of the affected homeowners because the sinkhole is located on private property.
The HOA management company said it was unable to take additional action at the time.
Officials had not announced the cause of the sinkhole as of Monday or confirmed whether nearby properties faced additional risk.
No injuries were reported. City officials were still evaluating the affected homes and had not provided a timeline for when displaced residents could return.