Children escape building collapse in Fore Street Redruth

The owner of the building is now being urged to take responsibility for its safety following years of complaints by a neighbour, who has continually warned Cornwall Council about its hazardous condition.

The fire service attended following reports of a building collapse at 12 Fore Street, Redruth, on Tuesday (September 26). They entered the property to carry out a search to ensure no one was still inside.

The council’s building control officers also attended to put in place emergency safety measures which included closing the adjacent footpath.

A council spokesperson said: "There is a history of complaints about the site and the council has been using all the means at its disposal to liaise with the owner of the building to take responsibility for maintenance and safety."

The building started to collapse while children played in it (Image: LDRS)

Reece Garner, who owns a building next door, has continually complained to Cornwall Council about the state of the property. He emailed the council the day after the collapse, saying: "I'm guessing you are aware of the serious event that happened last night at the property which I’ve been stressing my concern about for over four years.

"There were children playing in there when it collapsed. Luckily they ran out of the building. Four fire engines and over 30 public sector workers were there.

"It is highly likely that more of the building is going to fall. Surely a plan must be put in place now before a fatal accident will happen.

"I have a building company - I know when a building is going to fall; due to harsh winds and rainfall this is the only outcome."

He said there have been infestations of rats in the building, which is used as a dumping ground for rubbish as well as a space for drug taking, with needles being found in the property.

The area has been taped off by the fire service (Image: LDRS)

A council officer told him last year that the council has discretionary powers to secure buildings that are open to unauthorised access. In this particular case it had not been possible to use those powers as the condition of the property meant that "it is currently impossible to undertake works to secure the building".

A notice to secure the building was served on the owner in October 2021, as well as a community protection notice requiring the owner to take steps to control rodents and to prevent damage by pests, all to no avail.

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The officer told Mr Garner in October 2022: "The council’s building control team have been aware of this building for a number of years and I can confirm that we have several dangerous structure cases registered for issues at this site, such as loose slates, loose render and loose glass, that have been addressed on an ongoing basis.

"Clearly the building has deteriorated significantly to its current unsafe condition, due to the lack of maintenance undertaken by the property owner."