Building collapses in Manchester city centre

The owners of a building which partially collapsed in Manchester city centre and "felt like an earthquake" to workers nearby have said "there was no risk".

Witnesses described the ground "shaking" when scaffolding fell from the empty Alberton House building on Bridge Street, which is in the process of being demolished, at about 14:50 BST.

Tayy Ara, who works at nearby Cardinal House, said she and colleagues "felt shakes like a huge earthquake, everyone across the building, which has eight floors, felt it."

Bruntwood SciTech, the site owners, said "we appreciate the noise this generated may have caused some alarm" but agreed safety protocols were followed.

The area was cordoned off

A spokesman for the company said: "We can confirm that this afternoon there was a partial collapse at Alberton House, which is currently undergoing a full demolition.

"On a site of this complexity all eventualities are planned for meaning we were able to follow agreed safety protocols. As such, there was no risk to the on-site team, neighbouring buildings or the general public.

"Contractors PP O'Connor remain on site and work will continue as planned"

The Alberton House building has partially collapsed near the River Irwell

Tayy Ara said they had been feeling tremors during the past few weeks during demolition work "but this was something else entirely".

Chloe Gallagher, who was standing outside at the time, said she heard an "almighty crash" as part of the building and scaffolding came down.

"The dust clouds looked like they were coming across, so I grabbed my colleague and moved out of the way, but it was extremely loud and the ground shook as well.

"We turned to look and the building was collapsing. It didn't look planned, as there was lots of scaffolding still up and there were people in the building next door rushing to the windows to check what happened.

"I saw half the building collapsing then there was like this extreme dust cloud.

"We moved as soon as we saw the dust cloud coming towards us."

Properties around Alberton House have been evacuated after it partially collapsed

Alberton House is situated near the River Irwell opposite the Lowry Hotel.

Steve Wheeler, who was in a nearby building, said: "I heard a loud bang. We were all looking at each other wondering what's that?

"We didn't think much of it. It sounded like something had landed on the building.

Paul, who is also based in a nearby property, said the noise sounded like "a train coming".

"It was really slow and then there was a whirring sound and I turned around and thought it was a train or something and it just kept going.

"I didn't expect anything like this to happen, I understand why they've closed the bridge now."

Witnesses say they heard a loud bang as the building collapsed

Adam Bacon, who lives in the area, said he has been following the construction and was "pretty concerned" about the scaffolding left at the side for "so long, even though they had taken most of the building down".