Part of a building in Tameside has come crashing down, leaving rubble and debris strewn across a car park. The rear of an old cafe in Stalybridge town centre is thought to have collapsed sometime in the last 24 hours.
Firefighters and council workers were called to the scene off Grosvenor Street this morning amid concerns the rest of the building could also be at risk. Pictures show the car park covered in bricks and timber. It is not known whether any of the parked cars were damaged.
Building had stood empty for years
The building, next to Wetherspoons, is thought to have stood empty for a number of years. It used to house a restaurant known as The Bistro. A picture said to have been taken earlier this year shows it in a state of disrepair with a large tree growing out of the gutter and its windows boarded and shuttered up.
Stalybridge councillor Steven Barton said he called the council and the emergency services after being made aware of the collapse on Saturday morning. He added: "It's an old building. It's been empty for a number of years. All the back has fallen down into the car park and I'm concerned the front could go as well."
Fire service response
Speaking later, Coun Barton added: "The fire service have been brilliant. They've been round, fenced it off, cleared all the rubble away and skipped it."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "Just after 9.35am this morning one fire engine from Stalybridge Community Fire Station was called to reports of a dangerous structure near Grosvenor Street, Stalybridge. Crews arrived quickly to the incident which involved loose masonry on a building.
"Crews made the area safe working alongside Tameside council. Firefighters were in attendance for around 40 minutes."
Tameside council have been approached for comment.
