A broken water main may be to blame for creating a sinkhole that has put a dozen nearby homes and scores of grave sites in peril.

The reports of the sinkhole began coming in around 9 a.m. Thursday from the 300 block of N. 10th St. in Allentown.

Officials evacuated at least 15 homes in the area. The fate of those homes has yet to be determined.

Inspectors spent the afternoon evaluating their structural integrity, but won't know what's up until the size of the sinkhole is calculated.

Several of the homes have shifted because of the sinkhole, leaving cracks inside, said fire officials.

Many of the evacuees will spend the night elsewhere, worrying about what could happen. 

"Three of the homes have major shifting issues that you can physically see. You can see the doors don't open, cracks in the walls and in the foundations," said Asst. Chief, Lee Laubach, Allentown Fire Dept. "So, those are the three no-go homes right now."

The fear in the minds of several N. 10h St. residents is that the sinkhole will cost them their homes.

Shortly after the sinkhole swallowed up this sidewalk, residents said they heard cracking noises.

Dwayne Glover woke up to no water pressure and discovered his basement was flooded.

"I went by the washer and dryer and put my foot through the floor," said Glover.

When he tried to get out of his home, Glover said his house had shifted, so he had to kick down a door.

J.R. Rosado and his family gathered up their belongings quickly and got out, but had to leave part of their family behind.

"We are just looking for a place for our pets," said Rosado. "We have no place for them."

City, fire, PPL and UGI crews spent the day assessing the sinkhole's reach. Sections of the street were cut out.

Officials said it appears a water main break may be the culprit, but it's too early to tell for certain.

Long steel pipes were brought in to reinforce the sinkhole and keep it from collapsing on crews as they examine the damage.

Water has been shut off, and UGI is working to stabilize gas lines.

Glover said he can't believe what has happened.

"At least me and my family are okay," said Glover. "This could have happened while we were asleep." 

North 10th St. was blocked off all day while crews worked. Officials said it may be awhile before they know if any of the houses will have to be torn down.

They also determined that 54 graves in the Union and West End Cemetery need to be moved, but fire officials needed a judge to issue a court order.

The fire chief told 69 News that some of the graves' headstones are already coming off their bases.