The 79th Street Sinkhole

A 15 by 20 foot sinkhole opened yesterday afternoon on 79th Street near 5th Avenue in Bay Ridge.  Luckily, no one fell into the hole, and nearby cars -- one teetering on the edge -- were pulled back by city firefighters and workers from the city's Department of Environmental Protection at the scene.

According to the DEP, the crater was caused by a leaking sewer main under the street.

The 79th Street sinkhole is the second within a 15-block radius in Bay Ridge in as many months.  The first, also believed to be caused by a leaky sewer main, opened on 92nd Street near 3rd Avenue on June 29.

The breached 50-inch sewer main blamed for the sinkholes is 100 years old.

Local residents are understandably worried about more sinkholes.

Local State Senator Marty Golden told ABC Local there are 20 other, smaller, sinkholes in the area.

Video of the scene on 79th Street from NY1.

Photos of the 79th Street sinkhole from WABC.