Residents evacuated after a sink hole opens up in Ripon

Part of the property on Magdalens Close collapsed after the hole, which is believed to have been caused by a gypsum fault, opened up this evening.

Nobody was in the building but a dog was rescued.

Residents in nearby homes have been evacuated and the area has been cordoned off by police officers.

A spokesman from North Yorkshire Police said officers were called to reports that a house was in danger of collapse at 5.40pm.

He said: “The affected property and two houses nearby have been evacuated and a cordon has been put in place to protect members of the public.

“At this stage no injuries have been reported.

“Officers are carrying out house to house checks in the area to warn local people close to the affected properties.

“The incident is in the early stages but it is believed that the property has been affected by a sink hole.

“North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service remain at the scene with utility services’ engineers and structural engineers who are assisting with the incident.”

A spokeswoman from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service added: “A fire engine and a heavy rescue unit from Ripon are currently on scene at a sink hole which has appeared near a property on Magdalens Close, in Ripon, causing part of the building to collapse.

“There are no occupiers in the property and one dog has been successfully rescued.

“Residents from adjacent properties have been evacuated as a precaution.

“The hole is currently approximately 25ft in diameter and is believed to be due to a gypsum fault.”