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Residents evacuated after Redditch house collapse | Residents evacuated after Redditch house collapse |
(35 minutes later) | |
Residents have been evacuated after part of the back of a house collapsed. | Residents have been evacuated after part of the back of a house collapsed. |
It left a pile of rubble and some of the remaining building was exposed in Mount Pleasant in Redditch, Worcestershire, at about 00:05 BST. | |
No-one was injured and a search and rescue dog was used to check whether anyone was trapped underneath. | No-one was injured and a search and rescue dog was used to check whether anyone was trapped underneath. |
Neighbouring properties were evacuated while the house was made safe. The cause of the damage is not yet known and engineers will examine the site. | Neighbouring properties were evacuated while the house was made safe. The cause of the damage is not yet known and engineers will examine the site. |
Some construction work has been seen to be taking place to the back of the property. | |
Robert Allen, group commander for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said at least two families, and a business, have been affected by the evacuation and will be supported by the British Red Cross. | |
He said the homes are privately rented, and new accommodation will be arranged. | |
Specialist search and rescue teams were brought in to help, including lights and thermal imaging cameras to check the area, after a "substantial" part of the building collapsed. | |
Firefighters have been on site for more than 12 hours but have handed the incident over to Redditch Borough Council, which has been approached for comment. | |
A structural engineer and gas workers ensured the scene was safe. | A structural engineer and gas workers ensured the scene was safe. |
Mr Allen said: "We are waiting for structural engineer feedback on what happens from here. | |
"Naturally we are concerned about how vibrations from the road will affect the structure of the building. | |
"We have semi-permanent barriers cordoning off Mount Pleasant and Beaufort Street and until we have the assessment of the structural engineer, we don't know how long they will stay in place." | |
He said the council would be providing further advice to residents. | |
Police cordoned off the scene, with road closures in place from Ipsley Street to the junction with Salop Road, including Beaufort Street. | |
It is not yet known how long the roads will be closed for. |