An abandoned building in Bradford dramatically collapsed in the early hours of the morning, sending a massive plume of dust over the surrounding area and scattering rubble across the road.
Eyewitness Describes Terrifying Collapse
A man who witnessed the incident on Dale Street told The Telegraph he heard the structure give way at around 7:25 a.m. on Wednesday morning. He described the chilling sounds that preceded the fall. "You could hear the bricks cracking, the pipes falling, and then the building came down in an almighty dust cloud," he said. "There was a massive pile of rubble afterwards."
The witness explained he had first come across debris in the road before the main collapse. "You could hear it cracking, the odd brick falling, and then it all came tumbling down," he added. He confirmed the building was derelict and situated next to a block of flats.
Emergency Response and Safety Cordon
Emergency services, including police, fire crews, and council officers, swiftly attended the scene. The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they were called at 6:50 a.m. to reports of an unsafe structure. A spokesperson stated, "We've got two crews at the scene who are assisting stakeholders, including a structural engineer."
A safety cordon was established by the Highway Department to block off the affected section of Dale Street. The witness highlighted the official response, noting, "The structural engineers needed to come out to make it safe, and the Council officers exercised their duty of care to make it safe for the public."
Aftermath and Investigation
Footage shared on social media captured the moment of the collapse, with the sounds of breaking glass and crashing bricks audible. The aftermath left the street covered in debris. Authorities have confirmed that no one was near the building when it collapsed, and there have been no reports of injuries.
Bradford Council has been approached for comment regarding the derelict building and the ongoing safety operations. The focus remains on securing the site and assessing the structural stability of the surrounding area.
