By Margaret Roarty [email protected]

Luzerne County Emergency Managment Agency currently has control of the scene just behind Luzerne Lumber, where a sink sole opened up in Toby’s Creek. Margaret Roarty | Times Leader

Luzerne County Emergency Managment Agency currently has control of the scene just behind Luzerne Lumber, where a sink sole opened up in Toby’s Creek.

Margaret Roarty | Times Leader

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<p>Luzerne Borough fire truck can be seen blocking access to Route 309.</p> <p>Margaret Roarty | Times Leader</p>

Luzerne Borough fire truck can be seen blocking access to Route 309.

Margaret Roarty | Times Leader

LUZERNE — A portion of Main Street and the Back Mountain Trail were closed Sunday after a mine subsidence opened up in Toby’s Creek behind Luzerne Lumber.

According to Luzerne Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ron Rahl, the department was called to the scene Sunday around 7 a.m. for a mine subsidence that opened up in the creek that flows behind Luzerne Lumber, located at 445 Main St.

The Back Mountain Trail was closed at the DAMA entrance in Kingston Township south to the Luzerne entrance on Perry Street.

Exit 6 on and off ramps of the Cross Valley Expressway were also closed until further notice and fire officials were directing traffic at the intersection of Main Street and Courtdale Avenue.

Rahl stated that residents in the immediate area of Luzerne Lumber and Shovish Pools and Spas had been evacuated as a precaution.

Efforts to backfill the hole with boulders were underway for the better part of the day.

In a statement released by the Department of The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Bureau of Mining, the agency called the mine subsidence “an evolving issue.”

“DEP continues to respond to the mine subsidence on Toby Creek, Luzerne County, that has dewatered the creek from the Back Mountain area to where the creek enters the Susquehanna River. There are known abandoned mines in the area of the creek. DEP is working to stabilize the bank near the subsidence and divert the flow of water back into the creek,” the statement read.

The area on the east side of Toby’s Creek that is currently the site of KMS Metal Fabrication was once the location of the Mill Hollow Coal Breaker.

In addition to fire officials from Luzerne and Kingston Township and the DEP, the Luzerne County Emergency Management was also on the scene.