High Street retirement flats' gable end collapses

Embassy Court is a complex of retirement flats and bungalows on Maldon High Street

A High Street was closed and residents evacuated after the gable end of a complex of retirement flats collapsed.

Emergency services were called to Embassy Court in Maldon at 09:30 GMT after part of the top of the four-storey building gave way.

No-one was injured or trapped, the area was made safe and fire crews and police left the scene at 11:00, Essex County Fire & Rescue Service said.

Crews also attended a Christmas Fayre in Wickford at about 12:15 where a marquee blew over in winds caused by Storm Bert, hitting three pedestrians leaving them with minor injuries.

One person on social media said her mother was caught up in the incident and left "cut and bruised and very shaken up", while another said they saw a man sitting with "blood and a bash on the face".

The fire service said its crew gave the people first aid and left them in the care of the ambulance service.

Rubble fell in a driveway, on the street and on the roof of flats above a barber shop

It is not known whether the collapse of part of the Maldon block was related to Storm Bert, which has led to strong winds across the East of England.

"Crews worked hard to remove sections of the roof and cleared the loft of any items so they were not blown away by the wind," said station manager Ryan Ainger.

"Initial crews put a cordon in place to maintain the safety of public as the bricks had fallen on to the neighbouring building and the alleyway below."

Firefighters from Maldon had said they were joined on the High Street by crews from Chelmsford, Colchester, urban search and rescue, the hazardous area response team and police.

Meanwhile, Essex County Fire & Rescue Service said its control room had received "a large number of calls for fallen trees".

In Great Baddow on the outskirts of Chelmsford, a tree came down blocking a road near the parish council offices and parish hall.

A party was being held inside but no-one was injured.

• Live updates: Storm Bert hits the UK

Trees have been coming down across the county, including this one at Maldon Road, in Great Baddow