Residents Evacuated After 60ft Sinkhole Emerges Under London Homes

A hazard zone has been set up around a huge sinkhole that suddenly opened up underneath homes in Plumstead, forcing residents to evacuate.

Around 48 people who live at the newly-built Brickfield Cottages have cleared out of the premises, while the area was cordoned off to the public.

There has so far been no explanation for the emergence of the hole, which is thought to be at least 60ft deep.

A spokeswoman for development company Hexagon said: “We are trying to get information from the utilities about when we can restore services to the homes.

Sudden: The sinkhole forced residents to be evacuated from their homes (London Fire Brigade)

“Residents are currently staying with family or friends or have been put up in hotels.

“We are trying to contact all our residents today to provide support.”

A Greenwich Council spokesman said they were working with structural engineers to see what caused the incident.

He added: “Structural engineers are working to secure the site as a matter of urgency and residents will be allowed to return as soon as it is safe to do so.”

The hole is believed to be sitting on top of an old chalk mine.

Top pic: London Fire Brigade