Properties evacuated as house partially collapses

Crews were called just before 09:00 BST on Wednesday morning

Part of a building containing a ground floor shop with a flat above has collapsed prompting the evacuation of nearby properties.

Emergency services were called to Cotterills Lane near Saltley, Birmingham, at about 09:00 BST.

The gable end of the two-storey terraced property had collapsed, the fire service said. No-one was hurt and properties were evacuated as a precaution.

Crews worked with Cadent Gas and the National Grid, to make sure the utilities were safely isolated. The incident has been handed over to a demolition team, the fire service said. Adjoining properties have been declared structurally sound.

West Midlands Police were also sent to the scene and helped with road closures in the area.

"At 8.57am today crews were mobilised to reports of a structurally dangerous building on Cotterills Lane, Birmingham," West Midlands Fire Service said.

"The incident involved the gable end of a two-storey terraced property which had collapsed, prompting the evacuation of neighbouring properties as a precaution. No individuals were believed to be injured."

Specialist teams, including the council’s structural engineer and the service's technical rescue teams, have been called to the scene.

"Using a specialist aerial drone to survey the scene, our firefighters continue their efforts to manage the situation safely," the spokesperson added.

The drone and a search dog were used to confirm no missing people remained in the building when it gave way.

The adjoining properties have since been declared structurally sound by an engineer, the fire services said.

"We have handed this incident over to the demolition team, who will be managing and maintaining the structural safety of the affected property and scene," they added.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.