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Building caves in for second time | Building caves in for second time |
(10 minutes later) | |
Part of a high street in the West Midlands has been cordoned off after a building collapsed for the second time. | 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. | 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. | 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. | When it caved in construction work was taking place following June's collapse when builder Lakhvir Singh, 47, died. |
Evacuated shops | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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." | "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. | Firefighters are using special listening equipment and a search and rescue dog. |
Chimney breasts | Chimney breasts |
Sandwell Council cabinet member for regeneration and transport, Councillor Bob Badham, said there was no danger to the public. | 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. | 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." | "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. |
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