WFSB Channel 3Sinkhole threatens to swallow couple's home

Sinkhole threatens to swallow couple's home

Posted: Updated:
By WFSB Staff
BRISTOL, CT (WFSB) -

A sinkhole is threatening to swallow Brigitte and Jim Michaud's house in Bristol.

The couple has been struggling to fix it but now may have no choice but to abandon their home.

The Michauds' first floor is caving in and the main structural beam seems to be shifting.

Engineers who looked at the house told the Michauds it appears to be the fault of a sinkhole underneath and one strongly recommended they because it's just dangerous.

The Michauds are staying on the other side of the house for now where they believe it's safer.

The cost to fix the hole is estimated to cost more than $100,000, which the retired nurse and soon-to-be-retired salesman can't afford.

So they're getting ready to leave, giving away clothes to the Goodwill and packing up pots and pans.

"It's hard, it's hard, it's one's whole life," said Brigitte Michaud.

An insurance claim was denied because the policy does not cover sinkholes.

The Michauds say the house will likely be condemned soon, at which point they'll move in with relatives temporarily while they look for a rental.

Copyright 2012 WFSB (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

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