A GLASGOW couple have been forced to flee their home after it began sinking into a giant hole.
The couple's privately owned home in Millroad Drive, in the Calton area of Glasgow, is collapsing.
The residents raised the alarm around a month ago, to say cracks were appearing in their back garden and inside their house.
But the crater got progressively worse - and the couple were advised to get out of the east end property just before Christmas. They moved into temporary accommodation and are now in discussions with insurance advisers, the city council and Scottish Water, to decide what to do next.
At the side of the property, safety fencing has been put up, and engineers are regularly inspecting the site.
Due to the state of the building's structure, there are fears it will need to be demolished. That would affect neighbours' homes in the row of terraced housing, built in the early 1980s.
Nearby residents told of their shock at the collapse.
One neighbour of the couple, who asked not to be named, said: "It's unbelievable how much the house has sunk in such a short time.
"We've been told it's unsafe to go anywhere near it but if they demolish the house they might have to demolish other homes too."
The subsidence could have been caused by several factors. There are concerns that there is an issue connected to water ingress.
Scottish Water said the movement had damaged its sewer system and is carrying out an investigation.
It is understood there is a network of old rail tunnels underneath parts of the city's East End which date back to the 19th Century, which may be a contributing factor.
A council spokesman said: "We are aware of subsidence in the area, which has forced the closure of a residential road. Access to neighbouring properties is being maintained via an alternative route. "
A tenant of Thenue Housing lives in the property adjoining the building.
A spokesman for the housing group said they were in talks with Scottish Water and the council. He said discussions with the tenant were under way to see if he could remain in the property.
The spokesman added: "At all times the safety of our tenant and of the neighbouring owner occupier is our prime concern."
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