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Sinkhole in Lakeland near Scott Lake forces closure of road, creates danger for homes

A sinkhole that formed near Scott Lake Road and Fitzgerald Road in Lakeland was about 75 feet in diameter and slowly growing as of Friday afternoon.
A sinkhole that formed near Scott Lake Road and Fitzgerald Road in Lakeland was about 75 feet in diameter and slowly growing as of Friday afternoon.

Scott Lake Road between Old Scott Lake Road and Fitzgerald Road in Lakeland was closed Friday afternoon because of a sinkhole that formed nearby.

The sinkhole opened Thursday on private property near the roads. As of Friday afternoon, it was about 75 feet in diameter and slowly growing, Polk County’s Emergency Management Office said in a news release.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office sent personnel to block access and direct traffic away from the unstable area, and Polk County Fire Rescue arrived on the scene to assess the threat to structures and safety, the release said.

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A private enterprise hired by a property owner, drilling across the private drive, hit a pressurized pocket and caused the collapse, the release said. The property owners were assessing the situation Friday.

No property or structural damage was apparent as of Friday afternoon, but three nearby houses could be affected, the release said. Polk County Fire Rescue and the Polk County Building Division officials contacted the homeowners whose property was adjacent to the sinkhole.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Sinkhole in Lakeland forces closure of road, creates danger for homes