Homes have been evacuated and a street closed off after a 20ft deep sinkhole suddenly appeared in a pavement.
Emergency crews were called to Coronation Terrace in Nantyffyllon, Maesteg, south Wales, at around 8am today following reports someone had fallen in.
A spokesman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said a man had been “recovered prior to arrival" and did not need to be taken to hospital.
Bridgend Council officials said they are still trying to determine the cause of the hole, which comes after heavy rain fall during Storm Frank.
However, workers are investigating whether old mining work may be responsible.
The Bridgend valleys was once home to several drift and coal mines and two large pits were based in a village up the road from Nantyffyllon.
Highways inspector Neil Minchington told BBC Wales: “There's about six or seven flats that were evacuated.
"We'll assess the situation to see if it is safe to allow the tenants back in this evening."
A spokesman for South Wales Fire and Rescue added: “We were called at 7.49am to reports a pavement had collapsed.
“There’s a two-metres-squared hole in the pavement extending to a large underground chamber.”