ALL CLEAR IN CLOSE COLLAPSE

Residents get OK to return home

Residents of a Perth block of flats where a woman was injured in a floor collapse have been given the goahead to return.

A 25-year-old woman was taken to hospital after a major emergency operation swung into place at Atholl Street on Wednesday.

She had fallen into the basement after a section of the close gave way.

Fire crews and paramedics including the Tayside Trauma Team - raced to the scene after the incident was reported at 7.36am.

The woman had to be carefully removed from the basement with paramedics and fire crews assisting each other throughout, ahead of her being fully assessed for injuries at PRI.

Three other residents in the block of flats were taken to safety via a rear exit of the building.

A large emergency response, backed up by gas and electrical engineers, saw the bulk of the city thoroughfare closed for much of the day, as well as access to side roads near to the scene of the incident.

Fire crews revealed the depth of the floor fall later in the day as officers spent the afternoon shoring up the premises.

Perth and Kinross Council building standards officers were also on site to assist with the safety checks around neighbouring buildings, while the emergency planning team was also responding.

A spokesperson for the council told the PA yesterday: “Our officers were on hand to advise residents affected by the incident at Atholl Street.

“On Wednesday building inspectors were on site throughout and provided advice. It was confirmed it was safe for residents to return.”

The Atholl Street entrance to the properties remained boarded up yesterday morning.

Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart said: “I would like to pay thanks to those who were involved in the immediate response and those who will be involved in the coming days to ensure the safety of the site.”

Perth councillor Peter Barrett said: “I immediately contacted the council’s Homeless Team to ensure that support is available for any of the affected residents who need temporary accommodation.

“I was reassured that the team were already liaising with the council’s emergency planning team to ensure that help is available.”

A police spokesperson confirmed: “A 25-year-old woman was assisted from the basement area and was taken to Perth Royal Infirmary where she is understood to be receiving treatment to minor injuries.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “Five appliances were immediately mobilised and crews ensured the area was secured and extricated the individual who was transferred into the care of paramedics.”

A 25-year-old woman was assisted from the basement