Giant sinkhole opens up in Hertfordshire

A giant sinkhole suddenly opened up on a street, forcing families to be evacuated from their homes.

Read: 10-year old boy heartwarming gesture towards blind deer goes viral

Sinkholes are created when the surface layer of the ground collapses due to space created underneath the ground.

It spread across the front garden of a property on Fontmell Close in St Albans, Hertfordshire.

According to the Guardian. inhabitants heard a crash in the middle of the night and looked out to see the road had collapsed.

More than 50 properties are without gas and electricity, according to a fire service spokeswoman.

Read: Pregnant woman sees the ghost of her dead Grandfather kissing her unborn baby in hospital scan

The fire service said it was already aware of a small hole on Wednesday and it was due to be filled in, but it then received a call at 1.30am to say it had "opened up substantially" overnight.