TOLEDO, Ohio — A growing sinkhole along Pinewood Avenue in central Toledo is raising concerns among residents as it edges closer to a nearby home and utility pole. The sinkhole, which started near the street, has rapidly expanded in the past two weeks, now only feet away from the homeowner’s property.
The homeowner, who has lived on Pinewood Avenue for over a decade, expressed her growing fears about the potential risks posed by the expanding hole. “It was kinda narrow, but it’s doing this,” she said, noting how the sinkhole has widened significantly. “It’s not that far from the house now, and it scares the crap out of me.”
The sinkhole, which began as a small crack in the sidewalk, has continued to spread, exacerbated by recent rainfall. As the hole grew, orange barrels, fencing, and caution tape were set up around the area to warn residents of the danger. Despite these precautions, the homeowner remains worried about the possibility of further damage, particularly with more rain in the forecast.
In addition to the risk to her home, the homeowner is also concerned about the nearby utility pole, which could be in jeopardy as the ground continues to erode. “This is too close to the house,” she said, recalling the major sinkhole on Arlington Avenue that caused widespread damage several years ago. “I don’t need that, I don’t want to be sleeping and hear it suddenly collapse.”
City officials have acknowledged the severity of the situation. A spokesperson from Toledo Public Utilities explained that repairs cannot begin until Toledo Edison, the local utility company, secures the utility pole. A crew from FirstEnergy, the parent company of Toledo Edison, has been dispatched to assess the situation, though no timeline for repairs has been confirmed.
Local authorities are monitoring the situation closely, but the rapidly expanding sinkhole has residents on edge, especially with the unpredictable weather conditions. As the situation develops, both the city and utility company are working together to prevent further damage and ensure the safety of the area.