Residents evacuated from 'dangerous' building

Residents of flats in St Nicholas Street had to leave their homes on Sunday afternoon

A number of homes have been evacuated after firefighters said they found "cracks and bulging walls" in a "dangerous structure".

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service was called to St Nicholas Street in Bodmin at about 16:00 GMT on Sunday, where firefighters found masonry had fallen into the road.

A spokesperson said the structure was deemed unstable after "crews confirmed the building was showing cracks and bulging walls".

Residents were evacuated from the building, which Cornwall councillor for Bodmin Leigh Frost said was known locally as The Round House and "a bit of a landmark".

Road closures have been put in place while the incident is dealt with

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said "a part of the front of the premises had fallen into the road".

"A number of flats within the building were evacuated and the road was closed. No-one was injured," they added.

The fire service said alternative accommodation had been found for the residents of the former sweet shop.

Diversions have been put in place and a building surveyor has been asked to attend to survey the building, the service added.

The incident was left in the hands of National Highways and Cornwall Council, it said.

Flat resident Adam Brophy said he heard a loud bang before noticing pieces of wall on the pavement

Adam Brophy, who has lived in one of the flats for seven years, said he called the emergency services after he heard a loud bang and then saw some of the exterior wall on the floor outside.

The 44-year-old said he had been offered temporary accommodation by the council and said he thought he would be out of the building for a "very long time".

He added the road closures in place would cause "massive problems" locally.

"These roads are very busy and this is going to cause havoc for a long time," Mr Brophy said.