Growing Sinkhole Threatens To Destroy Meriden Home

MERIDEN, CT — A growing sinkhole in the backyard of a Liberty Street home has become a major concern for an entire neighborhood. The sinkhole is gradually moving closer to the foundation of a home at 170 Liberty St., FOX 61 reported.

Resident Ana Rosado said a tree fell Easter weekend. Initially, she thought the loud sound was a car crash, but then found that a tree had fallen into the home due to the sinkhole, which is now over 15 feet wide and 20 feet deep, according to FOX 61.

Ten residents live at the address, including five children, The Meriden Record-Journal reported. Residents are concerned that the sinkhole poses a danger to the children.

The Department of Public Works is working with the property's owner to stabilize the sinkhole. The sinkhole appears to have been caused by collapsing slab build over a Jordan Brook culvert, which has resulted in a flow of water that's sucking the ground away.

City workers have been out to the property several times to create supports in the ground using rocks and soil. However, Public Works Director Howard Weissberg told The Record-Journal that the root of the problem is the 150-year-old culvert, which needs to be repaired.