11 families evacuated after a sinkhole opens outside condo building near USF

TAMPA — A growing sinkhole swallowed a car and forced the evacuation of a building at Bordeaux Village Condominiums on Sunday morning, Hills­borough County Fire Rescue officials said.

The sinkhole measures about 20 feet wide and 8 to 10 feet deep, officials said. Residents at the complex near the University of South Florida at 12701 N 50th St. called 911 when they noticed it about 6 a.m.

The sinkhole sits in a parking lot adjacent to the evacuated building. It opened directly beneath a resident's car, which completely disappeared down the hole later in the day.

Sunday evening, orange netting and caution tape encircled the entire area.

The Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross said 11 of the 12 units in the building were occupied. Officials shut off water, electricity and other utilities to the building, the agency said.

Four families forced from the building are receiving temporary lodging and assistance from the Red Cross.

There is no threat to any other buildings at this time, but the hole may continue to grow, said Hillsborough Fire Rescue Chief Frank Fernandez.

No injuries were reported, and code enforcement was called to the scene.

Joe Castorino, who is in charge of maintenance at the condominiums, said the process of filling in the sinkhole would start today.