A huge sinkhole has appeared overnight in a British residential area.br br Aerial footage shows extent of St Albans sinkhole pic.twitter.comVdL8YZg7ie— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) October 1, 2015br br Authorities say five homes have been evacuated and 20 people are being housed in temporary accommodation.br br Here is a picture of the sinkhole we attended. pic.twitter.comPrE2hPFuPI— Herts Fire Control (@HertsFRSControl) October 1, 2015br br Residents say they heard a massive crash before the crater, 20 meters in diameter, appeared at Fontmell close in St Albans around 37 kilometers north of London.br br The local council was made aware of a small hole in the pavement last week and it was due to be repaired .br br Civil engineers are now assessing the situation, before work begins to fill in the 10m deep hole.