CLEVELAND -- A Cleveland business has been shut down because of a sinkhole that developed Wednesday afternoon at its front door.
The Carpet Store on South Main Street was ordered by fire officials to shut down for safety reasons.
Cleveland Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt said emergency services personnel were asked to check out the area and, following an inspection, they found a large washed-out area underneath the front of the building and adjacent parking area.
"You can see where the building has dropped down," Pruitt said.
Looking at the double-door front entrance, each door handle is at a different level.
Pruitt said personnel placed sandbags around the hole to keep additional water from rushing in and causing more damage.
The front of The Carpet Store and numerous other buildings are constructed over a creek that runs south of Cleveland. It is the same creek that caused extensive damage to the Sonic Drive-In in August 2010, following a heavy rain.
The owners of the building said Wednesday they have someone coming Thursday morning to assess the situation and advise them what action to take.
