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© Sean Simmers Workers make repairs at the scene of a water main break in the 1400 block of South 14th Street in Harrisburg, where a resulting sinkhole caused evacuation of seven homes. UGI has shut off service for a two-block area, since gas lines were exposed in the sinkhole. The water shut-off has affected about 45 houses on South 14th Street south of Magnolia Street
Gilbert Akers was asleep in his South 14th Street home Thursday morning when he was awoken by a city police officer knocking at his door.

The officer told him to evacuate, Akers said. That's when Akers peered out his front door and saw the massive sinkhole that had opened in a front yard across the street.

The sinkhole - big enough to swallow a hefty sports utility vehicle - was a sight that made Akers stare in amazement for a few moments.

"I was blown away by it," said Akers, a retired schoolteacher. "They said it happened suddenly and that's what really concerns me."

The sinkhole also stretched out into the middle of the street. It was reportedly caused by a water main break and forced the evacuation of seven homes. UGI shut off gas service in a two-block area, affecting 53 of its customers. Water had also been shut off in the block.

The sinkhole is just the latest to open in the city, which has experienced several similar incidents in recent months due to its aging infrastructure.

Akers, who was waiting the situation out Thursday morning inside his home, said he initially thought a sinkhole had opened only in the middle of the street. He realized the problem was much more concerning when he got a look at his neighbor's yard.

Becky Wallace, who said she has lived on the block for 14 years, said she was also alerted Thursday morning by a police officer who knocked on her door and told her to evacuate. She had the day off from work.

Wallace, who returned around 11:30 a.m. to her home to check on her dogs, said a similar situation occurred several years ago on the same block.

"[My friend's] father, his truck fell through the ground," Wallace said of a previous sinkhole.

Many other residents of the 1400 block of South 14th Street had left their homes by the time repair work started on the water main. Wallace said she was staying at her daughter's house awaiting word on the repairs.

Residents of the area have been advised to go to the Hall Manor Community Center to use the bathroom. A shelter was also reportedly set up at the nearby Mount Olive Baptist Church, but it appeared Thursday morning that no one was there.

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© Sean Simmers