A CAVERSHAM home had to be evacuated after the ground started to fall away underneath it.

A burst water main in Kidmore Road led to 'major subsidence' with the ground falling away under the pavement and road.

Crew manager Neil Rae, from Caversham Road fire station, said they had to evacuate the home as the hole spread towards it.

"A bust water main was causing significant subsidence," he said.

"The ground had basically fallen away in large parts of the road, pavement, garden, and garage.

"We evacuated the property and called the emergency gas electric engineers to make it safe.

"The water board were already dealing with the burst main."

Thames Water fixed the broken pipe overnight but admitted they did not know why it had burst.

Justin Coffey, Thames Water engineer, said: "We're investigating why our cast iron water pipe burst and what has caused the damage to the surrounding area.

"We have informed the council this morning and structural engineers will be appointed to look at the property in Kidmore Road.

"We need to understand exactly what has happened as a matter of priority, and will work with all the right people to put this right."

The fire crew put emergency supports under the building to prevent further damage.

One man had to leave his home whilst the the emergency crews worked to make the area safe.