Officials say a family is safe after three sinkholes opened up under a Nova Scotia home Sunday.
The main sinkhole is located at the front of the two-storey home in Falmouth, N.S. Two more were found during an investigation.
According to CTV Atlantic, bricks can be seen cracking and falling off the façade. The house has also started to tilt slightly where the garage meets the home.
The owner told CTV Atlantic that the family awoke to noises in the lower level around 4 a.m. local time. She said she heard a loud bang and thought someone had broken in.
“It was extremely fortunate that no one was hurt,” West Hants municipal district CAO, Cathie Osborne told CTV Atlantic, as she examined the property. “The whole house has been compromised.”
Officials are investigating to determine the cause, and whether the sinkholes will expand. The municipality says they think the sinkhole is isolated to one property, and experts will be brought in to assess the damage.
“Neighbouring properties have been checked, both by the Hantsport Fire Department and homeowners, for any change in the land or homes,” said Don Dignan, REMO Coordinator for West Hants and Windsor.
Officials say the house has been condemned and will likely be demolished in the next few days.
The homeowners will not able to gain access to remove their personal items before the demolition.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Emily Baron Cadloff and The Canadian Press
