(May 10, 2008)--A company that sits near the edge of a massive sinkhole in Southeast Texas has been cited for saltwater disposal permit violations.
Some geologists suggest saltwater may have caused the crater, but the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates such permits, stresses that the cause of the sinkhole hasn't been determined.
The sinkhole in the small town of Daisetta began as a 20-foot hole in the ground on Wednesday, but by Thursday had grown to 900 feet across at its widest point and 260 feet deep.
It has swallowed oil tanks and barrels, tires, telephone poles and several vehicles in the town of around 1,000 residents 60 miles northeast of Houston.
By Friday, officials said the sinkhole didn't appear to have grown significantly more.
The saltwater is a byproduct of oil production and has to be stored underground so it won't contaminate water supplies and the environment.
Daisetta Mayor Lynn Wells has asked the state for a disaster declaration for financial assistance.
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