This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7722891.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Building caves in for second time | Building caves in for second time |
(20 minutes later) | |
Part of a high street in the West Midlands has been cordoned off after a building collapsed for the second time. | |
A wall and scaffolding of the Bairstow Eves estate agents on West Bromwich's High Street caved in at just before 1200 GMT on Tuesday. | |
There was no one in the building and there have been no casualties, the fire service said. | |
When it caved in construction work was taking place following June's collapse when builder Lakhvir Singh, 47, died. | |
Evacuated shops | |
The High Street was shut between Carters Green island and Dartmouth Street, and was expected to be closed until early evening. | The High Street was shut between Carters Green island and Dartmouth Street, and was expected to be closed until early evening. |
West Midlands Fire Service said one side wall and scaffolding measuring 20m by 10m fell towards the basement in the latest incident. | |
Firefighters were carrying out a search and rescue operation as a precaution, but were not expecting to find anyone. | |
Sarah Warnes, a West Midlands Fire Service station commander, said: "When the fire service arrived they evacuated shops either side as a precaution. | |
"At the time we were unable to ascertain if all persons were accounted for so therefore we are carrying out a search of the area." | |
Firefighters are using special listening equipment and a search and rescue dog. | |
Chimney breasts | |
Sandwell Council cabinet member for regeneration and transport, Councillor Bob Badham, said there was no danger to the public. | |
He said: "It is a private building and it is not believed that anyone was inside but occasionally people do use buildings like this to sleep rough. | |
"As a result the fire brigade is bringing in two dogs to double-check that no one was on the premises at the time the wall collapsed." | |
Mr Singh died after he removed two chimney breasts inside a flat, causing the roof to later collapse on him, an inquest heard last month. | Mr Singh died after he removed two chimney breasts inside a flat, causing the roof to later collapse on him, an inquest heard last month. |
He had lived in the flat in High Street with five other people and carried out the work, without planning permission, to create more room. | He had lived in the flat in High Street with five other people and carried out the work, without planning permission, to create more room. |
The debris fell into the estate agent's office below. | The debris fell into the estate agent's office below. |