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Man freed from collapsed building Man freed from collapsed building
(about 2 hours later)
A man who was trapped when the top two floors of a five-storey building in central London collapsed has been freed by specialist fire crews. A man who was trapped when the top two floors of a building in central London collapsed has been freed by fire crews.
The emergency services were called to the building on Dean Farrar Street in Westminster after the collapse at about 1600 BST on Tuesday. Emergency services were called to Dean Farrar Street in Westminster after the collapse at about 1600 BST on Tuesday.
One injured person was taken to hospital but fire crews were at first unable to reach the trapped man.One injured person was taken to hospital but fire crews were at first unable to reach the trapped man.
He was removed from the building, which is being renovated, at about 0130 BST. He was removed from the building, which is being renovated, at about 0130 BST. The fire service said the operation to free him was "difficult and dangerous".
The London Fire Brigade said the man, who is believed to be a builder, was taken to the Royal London Hospital. Crews used a crane to reach the man, believed to be a builder.
A spokesman said his condition was stable throughout the rescue but was unable to comment further about the extent of his injuries. A fire service spokesman said his condition was stable throughout the rescue attempt.
He is now being treated at the Royal London Hospital.
The building houses the office of Labour chairwoman Hazel Blears. None of her staff were hurt.The building houses the office of Labour chairwoman Hazel Blears. None of her staff were hurt.
In Pictures: Building collapseIn Pictures: Building collapse
Police said structural failure may have been to blame and it was down to "good fortune" that it was not more serious. Police said structural failure may have been to blame and it was down to "good fortune" it was not more serious.
Commander Steve Allen, of City of Westminster Police, said: "There's no evidence at this early stage that the damage has been caused by an explosion."Commander Steve Allen, of City of Westminster Police, said: "There's no evidence at this early stage that the damage has been caused by an explosion."
Six fire engines and 50 firefighters were sent to the scene. Six fire engines and 50 firefighters were sent to the scene. Fibre optic cameras and listening devices were used during the rescue.
'Showering down''Showering down'
Eyewitness Anthony Gilberthorpe told BBC News 24: "It happened just so very quick one didn't know what to do. Eyewitness Anthony Gilberthorpe told BBC News 24: "I heard a mighty explosion and about two floors and the roof of a building to my left hand side was literally showering down in front of me.
"I heard a mighty explosion and about two floors and the roof of a building to my left hand side was literally showering down in front of me.
I was just sitting in the office when all of a sudden the whole building shook Justin LingerI was just sitting in the office when all of a sudden the whole building shook Justin Linger
"So I literally threw myself, literally jumped up and threw myself, to the right hand side of the road not knowing whether I was going to be hit.""So I literally threw myself, literally jumped up and threw myself, to the right hand side of the road not knowing whether I was going to be hit."
Mr Gilberthorpe saw a van driver step out of his vehicle moments before it was hit by a huge piece of debris.Mr Gilberthorpe saw a van driver step out of his vehicle moments before it was hit by a huge piece of debris.
"What I did see which was quite shocking was a huge boulder went right through his vehicle, literally where he had been 15 seconds previously and I think that's the most frightening thing that I actually witnessed."What I did see which was quite shocking was a huge boulder went right through his vehicle, literally where he had been 15 seconds previously and I think that's the most frightening thing that I actually witnessed.
'Calm evacuation''Calm evacuation'
A spokesman for Ms Blears, who is running for the deputy Labour leadership, said she spent several hours in her offices on the fourth and fifth floors with six other MPs at lunchtime today.A spokesman for Ms Blears, who is running for the deputy Labour leadership, said she spent several hours in her offices on the fourth and fifth floors with six other MPs at lunchtime today.
Six of her campaign volunteers were in the offices, part of the Queen's Gate building, at the time of the collapse.Six of her campaign volunteers were in the offices, part of the Queen's Gate building, at the time of the collapse.
One of them, Sean Newman, said: "Some of us who were upstairs felt the building shake.One of them, Sean Newman, said: "Some of us who were upstairs felt the building shake.
"Then we heard the alarm go off and left our stuff to go downstairs. It was a calm evacuation, but they would not let us go back in.""Then we heard the alarm go off and left our stuff to go downstairs. It was a calm evacuation, but they would not let us go back in."
He estimated that there were about 50 businesses based in the premises. He estimated there were about 50 businesses based in the premises.
Justin Linger was also working in the building at the time of the collapse.Justin Linger was also working in the building at the time of the collapse.
"I was just sitting in the office when all of a sudden the whole building shook," he told BBC News 24."I was just sitting in the office when all of a sudden the whole building shook," he told BBC News 24.
"As one of my colleagues put it, the building disco danced.""As one of my colleagues put it, the building disco danced."
Scotland Yard said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) would be responsible for determining the cause of the collapse.Scotland Yard said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) would be responsible for determining the cause of the collapse.

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