© London Fire Brigade60 ft' sinkhole in Plumstead
Residents of the housing development were shocked to open their front doors to discover the deep hole which measures about 25sq metres.
London Fire Brigade cordoned off the area as a 'hazard zone' - while officers evacuated people - allowing authorities to look into the cause, which is currently unknown.
A total of 40 properties were evacuated, with overnight accommodation provided for those affected.
Today though some residents are facing a second night unable to return home as the cause remains a mystery.
The incident at the Hexagon Housing development happened at around 1.45pm on bank holiday Monday lunchtime in Plumstead, south east London.
A spokesperson said: "Firefighters evacuated 48 people after a small sink hole opened up in front of homes on Brickfield Cottages, off Kings Highway in Plumstead.
"What caused the five by five metres hole is as yet unknown but as a precaution, a hazard zone of a 25m was put in place and nearby homes evacuated."
Hexagon Housing provided overnight accommodation after residents were assisted at a Council rest centre.
Structural engineers are currently assessing the damage, while the site itself is currently being protected by local police.
As of Tuesday afternoon, people who live in 30 of the homes are being allowed to return back.
A Greenwich Council spokesman said: "The other 10 will be notified once Hexagon Housing confirm that their properties are safe for residents to return. The safety of the borough's residents is an utmost priority."
So many sinkholes these days, makes me think of that Steven King story... "The Langoliers".... or at least the end of it.... eating up the earth to reset the world.