Dramatic CCTV video shows passerby's very narrow escape
A CCTV video released by Hammersmith and Fulham Council shows the dramatic moment high winds caused a roof to collapse in Uxbridge Road, sending bricks and debris crashing onto to the pavement and narrowly missing a passerby. You can see the video below.
The man was hit by some of the flying debris on the afternoon of Saturday, December 5 and taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service, but fortunately was not seriously hurt.
London Fire Brigade’s urban search and rescue (USAR) crews were called to the scene at around 3.30pm on Saturday using specialist search cameras and specially trained dogs to search the building and confirm that no one else was hurt.
Scaffolding erected to repair the roof collapse
A 25m cordon was temporarily put in place and adjoining buildings were evacuated as a precaution.
Crews made the area safe before handing the scene over to structural engineers from the local authority.
H&F Council says as the owners of the property were overseas at the time, it quickly called in its emergency dangerous structures contractor to clear the debris and secure the building.
The building is currently undergoing renovation works by the owners to include a loft conversion and three flats.
This work is being overseen by a private building control company – not the council’s building control team.
The council says there is no further immediate danger to the public, the Health and Safety Executive have been informed of the incident and the road and pavement have been re-opened.
It adds that if you are carrying out building works which require approval under Building Regulations and want expert advice from the council’s building control team, call 020 8753 3387 or online here.
Picture of the scene: London Fire Brigade
December 10, 2015