County settles as massive sinkhole threatens NJ homes

Burlington County Freeholders have made an offer to the owner of a home along the Delaware River that developed a massive sinkhole in the back yard.

The Burlington County Times reports the freeholders will pay $285,000 for the Florence home where Chris and Lynn O'Dell have lived for over 10 years.

The sinkhole had been opening up for the past two years but began to accelerate after heavy rains that sent trees into the Delaware River. The county got involved when an old county drain was exposed and a cap placed on it had broken and determined the house was in "imminent danger" of collapsing.

The O'Dells' next door neighbor, Gene Woodlee, settled with the county several weeks ago.

The county will tear down the homes and work to stabilize the embankment to make sure the road does not collapse.