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© Express-Times | PRECIOUS PETTYTwo Fountain Hill homes were evacuated Monday, July 14, 2014, after a sinkhole opened up at North Clewell and Long streets.
A set of twin homes in Fountain Hill were evacuated Monday after a sinkhole opened up in the 600 block of North Clewell Street.

Following heavy rainfall, the sinkhole swallowed a section of one home's backyard and extended beneath the porches and along the foundations of both residences near North Clewell's intersection with Long Street, not far from borough hall.

Assistant Chief David Boehrer, of the Fountain Hill Fire Department, said the sinkhole was spotted at about 6:25 p.m. and firefighters were called soon afterward to 605 and 607 N. Clewell St.

No one was hurt and both homes, which remain uninhabitable, were safely evacuated, he said today. The residents -- an elderly couple and a single man -- are staying with relatives who live in the area, he said.

"Danger" signs posted on the front doors of the residences warn people to keep off the property.

Emergency crews used traffic barricades and yellow police tape to restrict access to the homes, as well as a section of Long Street between North Clewell Street and borough hall.

The utilites at both homes have been shut off, Boehrer said.

Lehigh County property records indicate 605 N. Clewell St. is owned by Richard J. Frantz and 607 N. Clewell St. is owned by Robert P. Corvino. Both Frantz and Corvino live in the homes, which were built in 1917, records show.

Neither Frantz nor Corvino could be reached for comment this afternoon.

Boehrer said firefighters suspect an old stormwater culvert beneath the homes may have collapsed, but they won't know for sure until the residents' insurance companies send an engineer to take a closer look at the sinkhole. He's hopeful that will happen sooner rather than later.

Tonight's rain could cause the sinkhole to grow and result in additional damage to the homes, Boehrer said.

"It's basically in the hands of the insurance companies," he said. "I'm praying for the people who live there."

Borough executive administrator Rick Prill said the old stormwater culvert predates the homes, which were built on top of it. There is no evidence that the sinkhole has caused any damaged to borough property, he said.

Source: Express-Times