Firefighters Were Called After A Derelict Building Collapsed In Birr Street

Crews from Bradford, Fairweather Green and Leeds fire stations attended the derelict building on Birr Road, near Lister Park. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which was called to the scene at 2pm, said 5% of the building was involved in the collapse. Firefighters at the scene of a building collapse in Bradford today – read more here: pic.twitter.com/GASYt0ZI2V
— Telegraph & Argus (@Bradford_TandA) October 31, 2022 No people were involved and crews later assisted a structural engineer on site. The Technical Rescue Unit and the Detection Identification and Monitoring (DIM) team also attended. The incident affected public transport, with a spokesman for bus company First saying: “Due to a police incident, service 680 will be diverted in both directions skipping Park View Road & Wilmer Road.” A passer-by, speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, added: “I was just driving by and there was a big presence of emergency services there. “We didn’t know if anyone was trapped inside or not. But luckily it was reported that they weren’t.” Another witness, Kersh – who lives in the area – said the incident has shocked the local community. “I work night shifts, so I was in bed at the time and then a loud noise woke me up,” said Kersh, who works as a dog handler. “We were all really worried because we didn’t know if anyone was in there or not. One could be fighting for his life. “A guy I know from the church nearby was literally there cleaning, 30 minutes before it collapsed. Two old ladies were also there. “I called him after the incident and he said he could have died. “I’ve lived here for 24 years and I’ve never seen anything like this before, so there’s a lot of shock in the neighborhood.” There were plans in late 2021 to demolish the building to make way for housing when an application was submitted to Bradford Council. Maintaining it had become a financial burden on the parish and demolition was likely the only option for the “rapidly deteriorating” building – according to the application. The application was later withdrawn after a conservation officer raised concerns. “It’s a very old and broken building,” Kersh added. “We’re lucky no one was hurt today.”