Locals were evacuated from multiple buildings in a city center this afternoon after a tower block partially collapsed, causing an earthquake-like sensation. The incident occurred at a building near Bridge Street in Manchester, which was slated for demolition before part of it dramatically crumbled.
Witnesses reported feeling a seismic tremor before emergency services arrived to evacuate the area. Bruntwood SciTech, the developers of the site, confirmed a partial collapse at Alberton House, which was undergoing demolition. They reassured that safety protocols were followed, and there was no danger to the public or neighboring buildings.
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation stated that there were no injuries reported from the incident. They cautioned against speculating on the cause until investigations are completed. The Health and Safety Executive mentioned they are monitoring the situation in Manchester.
Footage online showed continued demolition at the site. The collapsed building, believed to be Alberton House, was part of a redevelopment project for “The Alberton” by UK property company Bruntwood. Reports indicated that scaffolding fell into the River Irwell during the incident.
The owner of a neighboring building, George Jones, recounted evacuating around 500 people due to safety concerns. Fire and Rescue teams responded to the scene, with no reported casualties. Images revealed the aftermath of the collapse with the structure folding over and scaffolding descending towards street level.
Firefighters attended the scene of the incident, where a building slated for demolition suffered a partial collapse. The situation is being closely monitored by authorities to ensure public safety.