Large sinkhole appears near senior living facility in Clark County
Community members found a large sinkhole at a senior living facility in Clark County Sunday night.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
As reported News Center 7, 5:30It was discovered near an old mechanical building on the north side of Springfield Manor, separate from where the residents lived.
Local authorities and the facility have fenced off the area to prevent anyone from approaching the opening.
TRENDING STORIES:
Lucy Miller, who lives in the houses behind Springfield Manor, discovered the sinkhole while driving her usual route on Sunday night.
“I was passing through there all the time to get home, and that was mostly normal,” Miller said.
He initially thought the hole was a minor road issue.
“Wow, that’s a really big hole, at least that’s what I thought,” he said.
Miller noticed a strange light he had never seen before and realized the size of the opening.
“I looked a little closer and said, OK, that’s not a pothole,” he said.
Miller and her sisters stopped their car to take photos and called 911.
He was very concerned about the elderly residents at the facility.
“Especially because it was so foggy and it was like there was a really thick fog,” Miller said. “There were so many people there and so many people were taking shortcuts through there, it was kind of scary.”
Miller said he had a nightmare about being so close to a sinkhole.
“I’m afraid to go there,” he said. “If this could collapse, just like any other part of it could collapse.”
Springfield Manor officials released a statement to News Center 7 on Monday.
“We are aware that a collapse occurred at our property overnight. We have worked closely with our local gas company and vendor to ensure the safety of our residents, staff and the surrounding community and are happy to report that all repairs have been made and we are back to providing normal service.”
The safety and well-being of our citizens and employees is our top priority. There were no injuries, and resident care and operations continued normally at all times,” the statement said.
Officials told News Center 7’s Malik Patterson they believe the pothole was caused by snow and ice weighing down old brick and asphalt, but they are still investigating.
There’s no definitive timeline for when the hole will be repaired.
News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
