24 April 2023 , 21:44
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Footage shows the terrifying moment two houses began to slide down a cliff, ripping the buildings to pieces.
The new homes, worth over $2million between them, crumbled down the steep slope in the city of Draper, Utah, US.
Thankfully no one was hurt in the incident as residents had to be evacuated in November and haven't been allowed back in, not even to get photo albums.
Footage shows the back of the house rear up before sliding back and disappearing from view.
The frontage of the house remains in place with the rest strewn down the hillside.
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The Kamradts, who owned one of the houses, lived there just two months before damage started showing.
They were forced to leave before spending even a year in their new home.
The remains of the home strewn down the hillside (ksl)"We kept hoping it wasn't going to end up like this," Carole Kamradt told Utah radio station KSL.
Eric Kamradt said they're now "sort of at a loss. What do you do?"
Draper fire Chief Clint Smith said the area was being assessed for sliding risk.
Another video shows the house begin to slide and just crumble away behind the lip of the hill.
In a statement, Draper officials said: "The conditions were related to earth shifting that resulted in sliding and breaks in the homes' foundations.
The house begins to crumble down the hill (ksl)"Engineers, building officials and public safety personnel are on site and have determined that two additional homes, one on each side of the previously evacuated homes, need to be evacuated.
"The residents of these homes have been notified and are evacuating."
The buildings fell onto the popular Ann's Trail below, which was closed along with nearby Clark's Trail. People were told to avoid the area altogether.
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The houses were built by Edge Homes, who have come under fire for building them on "sliding" foundations.
Carole Kamradt, a sex therapist, broke down in tears after seeing the ruins of her home (ksl)
Carole and Eric Kamradt (ksl)In a statement, the developers said: "Edge has been working closely with Draper City and professional engineers to monitor these homes since they were evacuated, but due to record snowfall and winter conditions, efforts to stabilise and repair the homes were put on hold until after the spring runoff," the developer's statement said. The homes are now unsalvageable."
Edge Homes have already bought back one of the two homes for an "acceptable price". They are working with the other owners to find a solution.
Carole Kamradt in happier times (ksl)Edge Homes added: "From the outset of the concerns with these two homes, Edge has remained fully committed to fairly compensating the homeowners for the inconvenience and disruption they have experienced.
"We stand by our products and take care of our buyers even when problems arise from circumstances outside of our control."