Stevenage building being demolished collapses on to street

A building in the process of being demolished has collapsed on to the pavement.

Swingate House in Stevenage, Hertfordshire crumbled at about 10:00 GMT and also left debris across the road.

Roads in the town centre around the building were closed so that emergency services and contractors could deal with the clear-up.

Herts Fire and Rescue Service said it was not aware of any casualties.

Andy Hall, from the fire service, said it was investigating the cause of the collapse.

"We're currently assessing with partners from Stevenage Borough Council about the stability of the building, we've got structural engineers on site," he said.

He also said a plan was being put in place as to how the building would be demolished safely over the next few days.

The building is owned by Stevenage Borough Council.

A council spokeswoman said it had been empty for some time, but that rescue dogs and thermal imaging were used to check no-one had been inside, and it was monitoring the situation.

The area's Conservative MP, Stephen McPartland, said on social media that he wanted a clear explanation about what had happened.

Swingate House was being demolished as part of the Stevenage town regeneration project.

Council leader Sharon Taylor said the borough's development partner Mace had contracted the "very experienced demolition firm" Kane Group to carry out the work.

Both firms, along with the fire service had agreed the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) should carry out an investigation, she added.

"Both companies have had senior teams on site today to carry out their own investigations," said Ms Taylor.

"Clearly they'll have to investigate why, at this stage of the demolition works, this has happened...it's all gone very smoothly up until today.

"Something clearly has happened that they wouldn't have anticipated."

Ms Taylor said the council and contractors would be working with the HSE to get the rest of the demolition carried out and make the site safe.

"I'm just glad no-one was hurt because there were staff on site at the time," she said.

Hertfordshire Police said a cordon had been put in place as a precaution and people had been asked to avoid the area.

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