A Cornish landlady has spoken of her shock after a fire escape staircase at the rear of her St Ives property collapsed, leaving four members of her own family with severe injuries. Helen Randall said the incident on Sunday evening was 'horrific' and that she remains uncertain why the structure gave way.
The fire escape, which connects to a roof terrace at the building her husband bought in 1997, collapsed at around 7pm, triggering a large emergency response. Cornwall Air Ambulance landed in a neighbouring field, supported by three land ambulances, three rapid response vehicles, and fire crews from the town, with police also in attendance.
Ms Randall told CornwallLive that her brother sustained fractured ribs, his wife suffered a broken ankle, and her mother sustained a broken ankle, damaged knee and dislocated shoulder. Her aunt was airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth with two broken legs and two broken arms. Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that one woman suffered potentially life-altering injuries.
Ms Randall said she was deeply upset by comments on Facebook suggesting the collapse was the fault of a 'rogue landlord', emphasising that no tenants were hurt and that the building had all required fire regulations and certificates in place. 'It's my own family who got hurt,' she said.
A police constable remained at the scene overnight and through Monday morning to prevent access until Health and Safety Executive investigators arrive to determine the cause and any necessary remedial action. Ms Randall said this was the first such incident in nearly three decades of owning the property. A neighbour described hearing the helicopter and ambulances, while another local recounted seeing the emergency vehicles from their garden.
