THREE truckloads of concrete were pumped into a sinkhole underneath two Thurrock houses today and it is hoped the emergency repairs will not only save the homes, but allow a busy link road to reopen quickly.

Thurrock Nub News told the story yesterday (Thursday, 22 December) of how the huge hole suddenly appeared outside the front doors of two homes on Rectory Road in Little Thurrock.

Within hours the holes became a gaping chasm, undermining the structure of the building and forcing residents to be evacuated.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and utility companies dug up the pavement outside the homes to stop the risk of fire, explosion or flooding. That work promoted the road closure, which remains in place this evening despite today's repair works.

Anu Adegbite with her daughter and an engineer at the front of the house after the hole had been pumped full of concrete.

The two families in the homes are being temporarily rehoused in accommodation found via Airbnb by insurance companies, who have also instigated the speedy repair programme.

The drama began at 7.30am yesterday when passers-by noticed the ground outside the semi-detached properties was subsiding. They alerted the residents who in turn alerted the emergency services and Thurrock Council.

The mother of one of the residents, Anu Adegbite, told Thurrock Nub News how her daughter and her family reacted.

She said: "It was a huge shock as you can image. There was no warning, people just raised the alarm, and my daughter and her family got out, as did the neighbours. The front of the house looked like a cavern had opened up.

"We called the emergency services and the council. I have to say that everyone has been amazing, especially Thurrock Council.

"Their guy, David Goodyear has been tremendous and has really helped everyone through a difficult situation. He was first class, as was the council – and all the engineers and people from the gas, elect and water companies and engineers. We just want to say thank-you to them all.

Rectory Road is hosed down after the final concrete lorry left after dumping its load through the pumping vehicle.

"The insurance company quickly found my family accommodation but hopefully, not the repairs are started – and once the concrete has set, they will be able to be back home quickly, though it may not be until next week just to be sure.

"We are told the road is likely to reopen tomorrow though as long as the concrete that has been poured is OK, they don't want road vibrations to disturb it until it has set hard."