Possible Sinkhole Forces Family Out of Tampa Home

Family of seven evacuates home after floor shifts.

A Tampa family had to evacuate their home Monday night after one of their floors shifted, but authorities haven't confirmed whether a sinkhole may be to blame.

The incident happened at the home in the 2100 block of West Sligh Avenue, according to WFLA. The family of seven had to evacuate and the Red Cross was putting them up in a hotel.

The homeowner, Eloy Sotto, said he was in the living room when the floor began buckling. The residents only had time to grab their wallets and purses.

Sotto said he had noticed a crack in his wall nine months ago and had called his insurance company. Tests confirmed a possible sinkhole under the house.

Rescue crews are expected to return to the house Tuesday to evaluate the damage and determine the cause of the shifting.

Earlier this month, a large sinkhole opened up in a backyard in Dunedin, near St. Petersburg. No one was injured but two homes had to be demolished.

A Tampa-area man was killed in late February after a sinkhole swallowed him in his home. In August, a sinkhole caused the partial collapse of a resort villa near Disney World in Orlando. No one was injured.

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