Darwen sinkhole: 'Major incident' after crater opens up with homes evacuated

A major incident was declared after a "massive" sinkhole opened up on an estate and sparked an evacuation of several homes.

The huge sinkhole was reported with the site being cordoned off by police with several other emergency services now at the scene. The Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said one fire engine and a drone unit were called to the incident.

"Just to make you all aware a massive sink hole has appeared on Green Fields drive," one resident said in a post shared to social media. "It's going under our garden and both houses are being evacuated.

"The fire brigade said they've never seen one this big. Not sure if there will be implications for everyone else as we are waiting on the council building inspector."

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Locals believed rain over the weekend could possibly have caused the sinkhole to open. John Grimshaw, who walks his dog along Poppy up Pole Lane, 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.

"As far as I know most of these houses were built about five years ago. 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 claimed the sinkhole was 50ft deep, LancsLivereported. The major incident, that was declared yesterday, has since been "stood down."

Blackburn with Darwen Council said in a Facebook post: "A major incident that was declared in Darwen following the appearance of a sinkhole has now been stood down.

"This means that the amount of support required from emergency services has been reduced. However, the incident is still ongoing and Blackburn with Darwen Council will continue to work with partners and specialists at the site.

"The council’s priority is the safety of all residents in the area, and six homes remain evacuated in Green Field, off Pole Lane. The council is supporting these families.

"A road closure is also still in place for Green Field. Pole Lane remains open. This is a live and ongoing incident, further updates will be shared if required."