Construction workers and shoppers in Cork City centre were fortunate to escape serious injury today after a building being renovated collapsed on a busy shopping thoroughfare.
Internal sections of a former discount store premises on Castle Street partially collapsed shortly after 4pm and a second incident is understood to brought more debris crashing to the ground in the hours following the initial collapse.
Some debris hit the pavement below the three story structure as a result of the collapse but most of the loose material was contained inside the structure.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and the street was cordoned off as an investigation into the
incident got underway.
Gardaí reported no injuries following the incident, which took place as construction repairs were being carried out and scaffolding supporting the structure gave way.
The alarm was raised at around 4pm and the scene was attended by six units of Cork city fire brigade. The incident immediately sparked fears that construction workers might be trapped in the debris.
Castle Street, which links the Coalquay to North Main Street in Cork City centre and is a busy
thoroughfare for pedestrians and motorists, will remain closed off to pedestrians and traffic as attempts are made to establish the cause of the collapse and to secure the unstable structure.
Building inspectors from Cork City Council began conducting an investigation into the incident yesterday and Gardaí confirmed that the area will remain cordoned off until the building is secured.
The building, a disused discount store, is located at the North Main Street corner of Castle Street and both streets were cordoned off by gardaí today.
"The area has been sealed off to pedestrians and motorists and we will maintain control of that area until Cork City Council building inspectors ensure the building has been made safe," Inspector Pat Lehane of Anglesea Street Garda station said.
The building is located within walking distance of Washington Street, where a building collapsed in 1999, killing a 20 year old woman.