Major route closed due to 'unsafe' building

Sonia Kataria
BBC News, Leicester
Leicester Media Online Police cordon in place with a 'Police Line Do Not Cross' tape is pictured. In the background, a Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service crew is working on Saffron Road in Leicester, dealing with debris from a commercial buildingLeicester Media Online
A section of Saffron Road is closed with a police cordon in place

A main road into Leicester has closed and a number of properties evacuated after masonry fell from an "unsafe" commercial building.

Police cordoned off a section of Saffron Lane, from the Knighton Lane East to Aylestone Road junctions, after debris from the property fell on to the pavement on Tuesday afternoon.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said no one was hurt but nearby buildings were evacuated for safety.

A crew and a building inspector were sent to assess the building after the service was called at 13:17 GMT, adding it "remains an ongoing incident".

Leicestershire Police advised motorists to find alternate routes, adding the road closure "will be in place for some time".

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