Families flee as bricks start falling off house
TWO families had to be evacuated from their homes after the bricks from a house started to fall off during the night.
Residents on Deepcar Street in Levenshulme were shocked to discover bricks in the middle of the street.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “We heard a bang outside and a bit of a commotion.
“We didn’t really know what was going on at first – I thought it was someone in the back banging on something.
“But I certainly didn’t expect it to be a house falling down, that’s for sure – we just saw bricks all over the street.”
It is believed a couple and three young children live at the damaged property and were given alternative accommodation, alongside residents of a neighbouring property which was also evacuated.
Greater Manchester Fire and
Rescue Service confirmed they were called and attended the scene.
A spokesman said: “Firefighters arrived quickly and secured the surrounding area until the arrival of a buildings inspector, at which point they handed over to the inspector and colleagues from Greater Manchester Police.
“Fire service personnel were at the scene for around an hour.”
It is not yet known how exactly the incident happened, but the property has since been fenced off, preventing access.
The resident added a number of houses in the area have had problems with damp and wobbly roofs, while the damaged property is close to a care home.
They said: “I don’t understand why there’s not more urgency about it, there’s a care home directly opposite. The house is deteriorating, you could hear bricks falling off all through the night.
“I heard the building inspector tell his colleague that he thought the house could all just fall apart at any time.
“There’s a lot of issues with the houses around here.
“Many of the properties have had problems with damp and wobbly roofs.”
Another resident, who has also asked to remain anonymous, said that structural work on the property suggests it could have been a long-standing problem.
They said: “I’m not really sure what the issue was but you can tell this has been going on for a long time.
“There appears to be three steel straps fitted at the top of the brickwork which is clearly holding things together.
“That says to me that it can’t have been something that just happened overnight.”
GMP confirmed they attended the scene but said the incident was a matter for the town hall.
Manchester council has been contacted for comment.