Neighbours of a building which collapsed in Brighton’s North Laine this afternoon have been evacuated until it is declared safe.
The fire service has now handed over the
building on the corner of Over Street and Gloucester Road to Brighton and Hove City Council’s building control officers after spending more than three hours making it safe.
The building, which is covered in scaffolding, is believed to have been empty when its wall collapsed, with no reported casualties.
Now, the building control team will have to make inspections before neighbours can safely return to their homes.
A council spokesperson said: “The building has been made safe and has been handed over on site to the council’s building control team.
“The council’s emergency services team has also been on site to ensure that any displaced residents have accommodation tonight.
“Two people have found accommodation through their insurance company, one person is being placed through our temporary accommodation team, and the remaining residents have made arrangements amongst themselves in the local community.”
In a statement published on its website, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “The gable-end of a building made of three floors plus a basement was affected, after a large section of the side wall collapsed.
“Two fire engines and the aerial ladder platform from Preston Circus were sent to the scene, along with one fire engine and the technical rescue unit from Lewes.
“Firefighters used the aerial ladder platform to assess the damage.
“There are no reports of casualties. It is believed the house was empty at the time of the collapse.
“Sussex Police assisted, overseeing road closures along with traffic and pedestrian movement in the area.
“Transco and UK Power have been alerted.
“The Red Cross Fire Victim Support Unit was initially asked to assist with looking after around 14 people affected by the incident however Brighton and Hove City Council are now helping.”
The service was called at 1.16pm and later alerted police and other agencies.
A Sussex Police spokesman said: “We were called at 1.49pm and are helping with traffic control.”
What’s dangerous about it? Is it trying to eat people like in a Terry Gilliam animation?