SEFFNER, Fla. (AP) — Demolition crews in Florida on Sunday began to take down the home of a man who is presumed dead after his bedroom collapsed into a huge sinkhole.

The search for the man, Jeff Bush, 37, was called off Saturday, with the 20-foot-wide opening of the sinkhole almost covered by the house. A heavy machine with a large bucket scoop was moved into position Sunday on what was believed to be solid ground. Rescuers said there had been no signs of life since the hole opened Thursday night.

The man’s brother, Jeremy Bush, who tried to save him, was escorted by a deputy to the front of the house early Sunday before the equipment was moved into position. He took some flowers from a makeshift memorial to a safer location, where Mr. Bush and a woman knelt in prayer.