Residents evacuated from 'unstable' building in Bodmin

Residents have been evacuated from a "dangerous" and "unstable" building in a Cornish town.

Firefighters were called to St Nicholas Street in Bodmin just before 4pm yesterday afternoon (Sunday 5 January).

Masonry had fallen into the road, and on arrival crews confirmed the building was showing "cracks and bulging walls".

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said: "One crew from Bodmin attended a call to a building where masonry had fallen into the road and the structure seemed unstable.

"On arrival, crews confirmed the building was showing cracks and bulging walls. Firefighters closed the passing roads for safety reasons.

"All residents have been evacuated and alternative accommodation has been arranged for them.

"Highways have been requested to attend to set up diversions and a building surveyor has been asked to attend to survey the building.

"This incident has been left in the hands of Cornwall Council staff and Police."

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Police were called by the fire service just after 4pm on Sunday 5 January following reports of an unstable building in Bodmin.

"The building in Nicholas Street was showing cracks and bulging walls and part of the front of the premises had fallen into the road.

"A number of flats within the building were evacuated and the road was closed. No-one was injured.

"The road closure was left in the hands of Highways and Cornwall Council has primacy for the incident."

We have contacted Cornwall Council for a statement.

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.