Massive holes swallow semis at Orange County business

It's not known what caused holes to open

ORLANDO, Fla. – Two massive possible sinkholes swallowed numerous semitrailers early Wednesday at an Orange County business.

The holes opened around 1 a.m. at C&A Trucking at 11762 Boggy Creek Road, just north of Wetherbee Road near Orlando International Airport.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office said deputies were called to the business and discovered a large fracture in the ground between two lakes. Several large construction vehicles fell into the fracture, deputies said.

No injuries were reported.

The property manager alerted the business owner.

"The guard called me and I said, 'Wow,'" the owner said. "It's terrible. Terrible." 

[PHOTOS: Holes swallow semis at business | RAW VIDEO: Sky 6 flies over destruction]

Officials said it's not known what caused the holes to open. The owner said the draining of a lake on a nearby property might be the cause. 

Officials with the state environmental protection division said that due to the possibility of petroleum being released, the department's office of emergency response has been working with local authorities to investigate.

As of now, the department's focus is on first responders' activities and securing the area to make sure it's safe for workers and others responding to it, officials said. Once it has settled, crews will begin cleanup efforts and work toward recovering vehicles and canisters.

Officials said the incident is associated with a man-made pond and does not pose a threat to natural surface waters.

"There are no roadways, residences or public utilities nearby or that have been affected by this incident," a spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the department's office of emergency response and central district staff are working with its geological survey team to determine the cause of the depression and whether it's a sinkhole or other type of opening that would be related to something else.

No other details have been released.

Two massive possible sinkholes swallow numerous semitrailers at an Orange County business.

Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for updates.


About the Author:

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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