A BURST water main created a sinkhole on the outskirts of town on Wednesday causing “significant cracks” to appear in the walls of an “unstable” building.
Parts of the St Helier ring road, Clarendon Road and La Pouquelaye were closed, with the sinkhole appearing by the entrance to College Gardens.
The Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that a burst water main underneath the road had created the hole.
“Significant cracks have appeared in the walls of the building that makes the corner of Clarendon Road, and Rouge Bouillon,” the emergency service said.
Investigations by building control will determine whether or not the property is safe.
A lamppost was also undermined as a result of the hole in the tarmac and will need attention, a government spokesperson said.
Jersey Water was also present at the scene and carried out emergency repairs to the burst pipe and confirmed that both lanes between Midvale Road and Palmyra Road were to be closed on Wednesday.
Islanders have been asked to avoid the area.
Two primary schools, D’Auvergne and Janvrin, were also affected following the closure of surrounding roads. The schools operated a “staggered closure”, with parents of pupils asked to walk to collect their children or park at a nearby supermarket.
In an update on Wednesday evening, the fire service confirmed that the water main had been repaired. “However, there is damage to the road and authorities remain concerned about the affected building.”
Parts of Rouge Bouillon, La Pouquelaye and Clarendon Road will remain closed until at least 1pm on Thursday.
Residents of neighbouring buildings can enter their homes, the fire service confirmed.
Schools will be open on Thursday but parents are asked to walk wherever possible and to keep an eye out for updates direct from schools.
For Janvrin school, all parents are advised to park at Waitrose and walk via Drury Lane and College Gardens to drop off their children.
d’Auvergne parents are also asked to walk, if possible, or to drive via Lower King’s Cliff (opposite The Inn).
