When a sinkhole opened on Mickley Road four months ago, the occupants abandoned the residence.

Sonia I. Luciano and another woman are known to be the owners of the property located at Mickley and West Tyler Street, just north of the Lehigh Valley Mall.

Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. confirmed the owners have filed a lawsuit againt the Northampton Borough Water Authority (NBMA) and the township. Hozza said he has no further comments on the case.

The home was the former residence of Elizabeth Buchmiller, who died several years ago.

A yellow tape at the property advises the public not to enter. Two large sinkholes can be seen on the macadam driveway. A white ornamental entranceway at the front of the residence has sunk partially into the ground.

The township and the region is prone to sinkholes because of heavy deposits of limestone in the area. A Florida Avenue home in Fullerton earlier collapsed when a sinkhole all but devoured the dwelling.