Vacant Glasgow tenement gives way during Storm Ophelia

Albert Road OpheliaA tenement building in Glasgow partially collapsed overnight as Storm Ophelia battered the UK and Ireland yesterday.

Firefighters were called to the unoccupied Albert Road tenement in Crosshill at about 4 am on Tuesday morning after reports of debris falling into the street. Brickwork and windows on the structure gave way.

The building had been cordoned off for the past two years as it was deemed unsafe for public access and had been due for partial demolition.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “It was around 3.55am this morning, police were called to a report of an unoccupied building having partially collapsed at Albert Road.

“Nobody was injured.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service added: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to reports of debris falling from an unoccupied tenement building on Albert Road.

“A total of seven appliances were immediately mobilised to the scene and firefighters found part of the front face of the building to have collapsed.

“There were no casualties and crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”

The privately owned flats have been unoccupied since residents were evacuated due to safety fears.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said the tenement, which contained private flats, had been empty for more than a year due to structural concerns around the windows.

“Responsibility for repairing the property lies with the private owners, however the council had offered them financial assistance to help with the cost of repair,” she said.

“Stabilisation works to the property and removal of the bay window areas were due to commence on site within the next two weeks following the appointment of a contractor, by the owners’ agent.

“Unfortunately, Storm Ophelia hit the city and there was a collapse. The exclusion zone did its job and contained the debris and, because we previously evacuated the building, no-one was hurt.”

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