Pasco homes in danger after hole opens

HOLIDAY (FOX 13) - Crews will continue to monitor a "large hole" that opened up under a home in Holiday on Monday.

The hole is underneath the front porch of a home at 5005 Genesis Avenue in the Crest Ridge Gardens community of Holiday.

The view from SkyFOX showed the black gaping hole clearly visible along the edge of the home. Officials have taped off the property and have been assessing the situation.

The hole appears to be about 30 feet wide and 15 or 20 feet deep, and still growing. Four nearby homes have been evacuated.

"One house is in danger of falling into the hole. Other houses in area being evaluated," a Pasco County Fire Rescue spokesperson explained.

"Shocking I never seen a sinkhole. It's horrifying scary," said  Danielle Barile. It opened up underneath her Aunt's house.

A lawn care worker noticed the ground giving way underneath.

Luckily the owner, Alice Hammond. wasn't there when it opened. Her family spent much of Monday afternoon removing her belongings.  

Meanwhile, neighbors are concerned about their own homes. 

"Glad my daughter wasn't home. I have a 4-year-old daughter and it's right next to her bedroom," said next door neighbor Katrina Sherman.

Because the hole is on private property, it'll be up to Hammond and her family to fix it.

Family members said Hammond does not have insurance on the house, so her next move is unclear.

"I don't know. She doesn't know herself," said her sister Janet Barile.