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Huge sinkhole opens up in Michigan town, forcing 22 families to evacuate

It could be weeks before residents are allowed to return.

By Ed Adamczyk
Officials barricaded 15 Mile Road in Fraser, Mich., as a home slowly slides into a sinkhole believed to have been caused by a sewer line collapse. Residents evacuated 22 homes on the street. Screenshot from Detroit Free Press
Officials barricaded 15 Mile Road in Fraser, Mich., as a home slowly slides into a sinkhole believed to have been caused by a sewer line collapse. Residents evacuated 22 homes on the street. Screenshot from Detroit Free Press

FRASER , Mich., Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A sinkhole in Fraser, Mich., forced the Christmas Eve evacuation of 22 homes and the closure of a major road, officials said.

Residents who attended a meeting Monday at Fraser City Hall were told the sinkhole, 100 feet wide and 250 feet long, was caused by the collapse of an interceptor of an 11-foot wide sewer line 45 feet underground. One home was partially destroyed Saturday, and on Tuesday another home was near collapse. It could be two weeks before residents of the other affected homes will be allowed to return to collect personal belongings.

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A gas main, a water main and a sewer tank are affected by the hole, and utilities were shut off by city workers fearing a gas leak. The street adjacent to the hole, 15 Mile Road, was closed. A state of emergency was declared in Fraser, a city of about 14,500.

Officials at the meeting said the sinkhole is believed to be larger than a 2004 sinkhole nearby that shut down 15 Mile Road for 10 months and cost $53 million to repair.

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