Building collapse in Manchester city center 'felt like an earthquake'

Rumayana Jahangir, north-west and

Laura O'Neill, in Manchester

Building collapse in Manchester city centre

The owners of a building that partially collapsed in Manchester city center and “felt like an earthquake” to nearby workers said there was “no danger”.

Witnesses described the ground as “shaking” when scaffolding fell from the empty Alberton House building in Bridge Street, which was in the process of being demolished, at around 14:50 GMT.

Tai Ara, who works at nearby Cardinal House, said she and her colleagues “felt tremors similar to a massive earthquake, and they were felt by everyone throughout the building, which consists of eight floors.”

Site owners Bruntwood SciTech said: “We appreciate that the noise resulting from this may have caused some concern,” but agreed safety protocols were followed.

BBC/Laura O'Neill

The area was cordoned off

A spokesperson for the company said: “We can confirm that this afternoon there was a partial collapse at Alberton House, which is currently undergoing full demolition.

“On a site of this complexity, all eventualities were planned for which meant we were able to follow agreed safety protocols. As such, there was no risk to the team on site, neighboring buildings or the general public.

“Contractors PP O’Connor remain on site and work will continue as planned.”

Alberton House has partially collapsed near the River Irwell

Tai Ara said they had been feeling the tremors for the past few weeks during the demolition work, “but this was something else entirely.”

Chloe Gallagher, who was standing outside at the time, said she heard a “hard crash” as part of the building and scaffolding fell.

“The dust clouds sounded like they were coming, so I grabbed my colleague and moved out of the way, but it was very loud and the ground shook as well.

He added: “We turned to look, and the building was collapsing. It was not planned, as there was still a lot of scaffolding, and there were people in the building next door rushing to the windows to check what happened.”

“I saw half the building collapse and there was a huge dust cloud.

“We took action as soon as we saw the dust cloud heading towards us.”

Properties surrounding Alberton House were evacuated after it partially collapsed

Alberton House is located close to the River Irwell, opposite the Lowry Hotel.

Steve Wheeler, who was in a nearby building, said: “I heard a loud bang. We were all looking at each other and wondering, ‘What is this?’”

“We didn't think much of it. It looked like something had fallen on the building.

Paul, who also lives on a nearby property, said the noise sounded like “a train coming”.

“It was really slow and then there was a humming sound and I turned around and thought it was a train or something and it kept going.

“I wasn't expecting something like this to happen, and I understand why the bridge is closed now.”

Eyewitnesses said they heard a loud sound as the building collapsed

Adam Bacon, who lives in the area, said he had been following the construction work and was “very concerned” about the scaffolding that had been left on the side “for a long time, even though they had demolished most of the building.”

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