Philadelphia mother of boy with special needs urges city to fix sinkholes outside home

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A Frankford homeowner says she is frightened and frustrated as multiple sinkholes continue to form outside her house on Lesher Street, creating what she calls a dangerous situation for her disabled son and her neighbors.

Arlene Esquilin said four sinkholes have opened in front of her home since New Year's Day, when a water main break affected several residents on her block.

"This morning I woke up and there's another sinkhole," she said. "It's unsafe. It's a hazard."

The sinkholes sit beside the handicapped parking space Esquilin relies on for her 9-year-old son, who she says doesn't walk and weighs about 65 pounds.

Concerned that the street could collapse, she now parks down the block and carries him to the car.

"I can't even double park because that could sink in, and I'm afraid," she said.

Residents say the city repaired the water main, but the ground began caving in afterward. Security camera video captured the first sinkhole forming as a utilities truck drove by, and another collapsed days later.

Esquilin said she has spent months calling 311, the Philadelphia Water Department and the Philadelphia Streets Department. After she contacted Action News, which contacted the city, crews arrived within the hour.

"They came, took a few pictures, and they left. But they did not drive down the street. They backed up so clearly they know that's not safe."

The street falls within the district of Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, who recently held a hearing on city sinkholes. When contacted about the issue, Lozada visited the block and reacted to yet another hole forming.

"This is concerning to me," she said.

Lozada said her office has been in touch with both the streets department and the water department. She says her office is working to expedite repairs.

Esquilin hopes the work happens quickly.

"I want someone to come out and respond and fix this ... something has to be done," she said.

Lozada has urged residents to call 311 as soon as they notice sinkholes, even small ones. Esquilin said crews told her repairs could take up to 45 days before officials began accelerating the process.