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Those who pass by a growing sinkhole on Alexandrine Street in Detroit are becoming concerned about the condition and safety of the street.

Chris Estham lives nearby and says, at first, he thought the hole was a pothole, but then noticed it was about six feet deep and 20 feet wide when he got a closer look.

The sinkhole is also becoming hazardous for nearby businesses. The parking lot of Slows To Go, a popular restaurant, is right next to the sinkhole, and Ladder 20 uses the alley to back up its trucks into their garage.

Estham says he called the city weeks ago about the problem but has not seen any action, and since then the problem has worsened.

FOX 2 has learned the abandoned manhole was not backfilled, and the cavity beneath it create the sinkhole.

The company Detroit Thermal is responsible for it and put a steel plate on top of the hole Monday morning.

A spokesperson says Detroit Thermal is now checking other abandoned manholes to prevent more sinkholes from emerging. No word on the timetable for the long-term fix, but the company says the sinkhole on Alexandrine will be repaired soon.

Watch Fox2 news report here.