Hundreds of individuals were evacuated on Friday afternoon after a section of a structure being demolished collapsed in Manchester’s city center, leading to scaffolding and debris falling into the River Irwell. A video circulated online captured the moment when the building crumbled, releasing dust and debris into the air while scaffolding dropped into the river below. The incident occurred at Alberton House, a location designated for demolition, where a portion of the structure unexpectedly gave way on Bridge Street.
The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed that emergency crews responded to the scene shortly before 3 pm. A spokesperson from GMFRS stated that one fire engine from Manchester Central arrived at St Mary’s Parsonage just after 2.50 pm after scaffolding on a building undergoing demolition partially collapsed. No individuals were harmed, and the team handed over the situation to building control.
Following the collapse, nearby businesses were compelled to evacuate. George Jones, the proprietor of a neighboring building, mentioned having to evacuate approximately 500 people for safety purposes. Jones expressed surprise at the lack of prior warning about potential safety concerns or the need to evacuate due to ongoing renovations.
Jones described the impact as akin to an earthquake, noting that people left the area out of safety concerns. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and authorities stated that Manchester City Council’s building control team was overseeing the situation.