Cops and firefighters have been on the scene since 7 a.m. this morning at the site of a massive sinkhole near 64th Street and Fifth Avenue in Sunset Park.
The sinkhole stretches almost an entire intersection, just off the crosswalk.
According to a source, about five firetrucks, four cop cars and one National Grid truck were on the scene around 7:15 a.m. It is still unclear what caused the sinkhole.
No injuries were immediately reported and traffic is being diverted from the normally busy intersection.
Update, 11:07 a.m.: The Office of Emergency Management and New York City Department of Environmental Protection have taken over at the scene. Officials gathered at the site just past 10:30 a.m. to answer questions from press.
“Upon arrival at the scene we found the hole [to be] approximately 20 feet wide and 20 feet deep,” said FDNY Deputy Chief Peter Leicht of Division 8 adding that – at this time – there are no apparent gas leaks at the site. “At this point, everything is intact and, at this time, it is apparent that [there has been] some sort of water main issue.”
The agencies on scene – including the Department of Buildings, there to look into the structural integrity of the building closest to the sinkhole which, as of 10:30 a.m., had not been deemed an issue – are working with the utility companies which, officials say, they will likely have to shut off for the surrounding area.
“As it stands right now, there won’t be anybody out of water until we get everything shut down,” said DEP Deputy Commissioner Jim Roberts, confirming that the incident did indeed involve a 48 inch cast iron water main that crews are in the process of shutting down. “As the chief mentioned, we are working with the utilities – including the gas companies and electric – and they’re in the process and ready to turn [everything] off. We’ll know further as we move along who, if anybody, is impacted utility-wise whether it’s electric or gas.
“We’re not in a position to make that statement right now,” he went on, noting that work at the site will take up “the better part of the day.”
According to reports, business owners near the scene said people were looking to cross the street as the sinkhole opened up but were able to get out of the way in time.
Update, 11:44 a.m.: Water will be shut on Fifth Avenue from 62nd Street to 64th Street so that DEP can make necessary repairs to the sewer pipe.
Officials hope to have the water back on by the end of the day.
This story is still developing. We will update with more information as it becomes available.
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