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Ripon homes evacuated after large sinkhole opens Ripon homes evacuated after large sinkhole opens
(about 1 hour later)
Seven homes have been evacuated after a large sinkhole opened up behind a row of houses in North Yorkshire.Seven homes have been evacuated after a large sinkhole opened up behind a row of houses in North Yorkshire.
Fire crews were called out to Magdalen's Road, Ripon at 22:30 GMT on Wednesday and found a hole measuring about 20m (66ft) by 10m (33ft). One resident said she felt the ground moving beneath her as she ventured into her back garden in Magdalen's Road, Ripon.
The depth of the hole, in the back gardens of two properties, is estimated to be about 9m (30ft) deep. Fire crews were called to the street at 22:30 GMT on Wednesday, where they found a hole measuring about 20m (66ft) by 10m (33ft).
No injuries have been reported, with the area cordoned off.No injuries have been reported, with the area cordoned off.
The depth of the hole, in the back gardens of two properties, is estimated to be about 9m (30ft) deep.
More on this story and other news in North YorkshireMore on this story and other news in North Yorkshire
Frances O'Neil, who discovered the sink hole in her garden, said: "I was just going to go down the steps that lead to my garden and realised there were no steps and the ground was moving. Frances O'Neil, said: "I was just going to go down the steps that lead to my garden and realised there were no steps and the ground was moving.
"I turned back around, grabbed hold of a metal pole and pulled myself up and back into the house.""I turned back around, grabbed hold of a metal pole and pulled myself up and back into the house."
Ben Bramley, who lives in one of the affected houses, said: "I was a bit drowsy and my missus gave me a shout to say something was happening in the back garden and it sounded like a little landslip. Ben Bramley, who lives in the other affected house, said: "I was a bit drowsy and my missus gave me a shout to say something was happening in the back garden and it sounded like a little landslip.
"I went outside and it was all dusty, my neighbour was out there in a dressing gown and it was a real mess.""I went outside and it was all dusty, my neighbour was out there in a dressing gown and it was a real mess."
Structural experts were called in to help survey the scene.Structural experts were called in to help survey the scene.
Mr Bramley added: "It's quite traumatic.. it's very close to our back door and the house as you can imagine is uninhabitable at the moment.Mr Bramley added: "It's quite traumatic.. it's very close to our back door and the house as you can imagine is uninhabitable at the moment.
"The fire brigade and contractors were saying that it's likely to be structurally unsafe for a period of time, so we would need to move out. We might even be officially homeless.""The fire brigade and contractors were saying that it's likely to be structurally unsafe for a period of time, so we would need to move out. We might even be officially homeless."
Ben Cairns, NYFRS station manager, said: "The area is well-known for gypsum deposits, so it's not the first time we have encountered this - although this particular sinkhole does appear to be quite large."Ben Cairns, NYFRS station manager, said: "The area is well-known for gypsum deposits, so it's not the first time we have encountered this - although this particular sinkhole does appear to be quite large."
The fire service said the residents of four of the affected homes will not be able to return to their properties any time soon.The fire service said the residents of four of the affected homes will not be able to return to their properties any time soon.
In 2014, a 100-year-old detached house in an adjoining street was demolished after a 25ft-wide sinkhole opened.In 2014, a 100-year-old detached house in an adjoining street was demolished after a 25ft-wide sinkhole opened.
The British Geological Survey said Ripon lies in one of the most susceptible areas of the UK for sinkholes because of its "Permian gypsum deposits", which can dissolve more quickly than surrounding limestone.The British Geological Survey said Ripon lies in one of the most susceptible areas of the UK for sinkholes because of its "Permian gypsum deposits", which can dissolve more quickly than surrounding limestone.
Eamon Parkin, a landlord at the nearby Magdalen's pub, said he had noticed a visible change in the area's landscape over the last few years.Eamon Parkin, a landlord at the nearby Magdalen's pub, said he had noticed a visible change in the area's landscape over the last few years.
He said: "Growing up here, I know that it's a problem in Ripon and these things do happen, but where will it happen next?He said: "Growing up here, I know that it's a problem in Ripon and these things do happen, but where will it happen next?
"If you look over to where the park is, the land is changing over there. It used to be nice and flat, but now you can see a difference in the structure of the land.""If you look over to where the park is, the land is changing over there. It used to be nice and flat, but now you can see a difference in the structure of the land."