Large sinkhole opens in west Houston neighborhood, no injuries reported

HOUSTON — Eight families were surprised and had to be evacuated Saturday when a massive sinkhole opened up in their west Houston neighborhood.

Authorities say an underground cistern, a type of water storage tank, collapsed, creating a large crater amid townhouses.

No one was injured, but the area was sealed off with caution tape while engineers assessed the damage and ensured the sinkhole would not grow larger.

The incident happened around 8:30 a.m. in the 400 block of Sutherland Terrace Place, near Memorial Drive and Gessner Road.