Sinkhole cuts off 100 homes in N. California city

[April 20, 2010]  RICHMOND, Calif. (AP) -- Crews were building a new road after a massive sinkhole in Richmond cut off a neighborhood of more than 100 homes.

The sinkhole swallowed up two parked cars when it opened Thursday evening. No one was in the cars.

A Richmond fire official says the hole, estimated to be about 60 feet long, 40 feet wide and 20 feet deep, cut off vehicle access for people in the neighborhood.

A temporary road was expected to be completed after the cars were hauled of the sinkhole.

Residents have been able to walk in and out of their neighborhood, but not drive.

Officials are still investigating what caused the chasm to form.

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Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/

[Associated Press]

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