Large Hole in Floorboards near bottom of stairs

[grcj8]

Went to view a house today that am interested in and looked like someone had fallen through the floorboards at the bottom of the stairs:



Anyone know whats the most likely cause for this from looking at the picture ( I know its not the best but only one I have atm). Likewise how big a job it is likely to repair

 

[Burnerman]

Best to look closely at the ajoining floorboards, I reckon.....the one nearest the camera looks a bit crumbly!
Look for general rot or woodworm, but after treatment its an easy enough repair.
John

 

[grcj8]

Thanks for the reply, Not sure whether its the camera but looks like there is small holes in a few places (can zoom in on the picture by cliking on and selecting zoom) but not sure whether that would be wood worm.

Not as concerned If it's just a few boards but just concerned in case it's effecting all of the stairs or the hallway etc

 

[big-all]

unusual for the board to "break" half way along so definitely looks like woodworm or other decay is there a timber running across the boards near the rugged edge underneath

 

[gregers]

looks like worm to me aswell.