Northern Ireland

Video: Bus driver narrowly escapes injury after partial building collapse in Belfast city centre

Masonry came crashing down from the building late on Thursday morning in Wellington Place, one of the busiest streets in the city

Alan Lewis - PhotopressBelfast.co.uk 6-5-2024 Emergency services at the scene of a partial building collapse at Wellington Place in the centre of Belfast where passers by and shoppers had a miraculous escape after heavy marble and stone pieces above the Oasis amusement arcade shopfront, fell to the ground at one point penetrating the pavement such was the impact.
Emergency services at the scene of a partial building collapse at Wellington Place (Alan Lewis - Photopress Belfast/Photopress Belfast)
By John Breslin

A bus driver narrowly escaped serious injury after chunks of masonry came crashing down from a Belfast city centre building.

The masonry just above the front of a casino broke from the building and slammed on the pavement.

It happened shortly after 11am on Wellington Place, one of the busiest streets in the city and the site of several bus stops. Building control officials took over the scene shortly before 1pm.

Eyewitness Michael Bremner, a Translink inspector, said a bus driver walking past the building narrowly missed being struck.

“He could have been seriously injured or killed. It just missed them,” said Mr Bremner, who moved to secure the scene after phoning the emergency services.

Customers from the Oasis Casino, after hearing the loud crash, tried to exit the building but Mr Bremner had to warn them to stay inside in case any more of the stone work came falling down.

“What are people like? They were trying to walk through the debris and I had to move them back or around,” said Mr Bremner, again concerned for their safety.

Two fire engines rushed to the scene, while police also arrived as Wellington Place. The bus lane was closed.

“The bus lane in Wellington Place, Belfast City Centre is currently closed due to part of a building collapsing in the area,” the PSNI said.

Michael Bremner, who witnessed the incident and tried to keep people away from the scene after emergency services were called
Michael Bremner, who witnessed the incident and tried to keep people away from the scene after emergency services were called

“Drivers and pedestrians are advised to approach the area with caution.”

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the incident was reported at 11.11am. One appliance from Central Fire Station and a specialist rescue team attended the incident.

Local Councillor Gary McKeown said he has spoken to building control about the need to make the site safe.

“At the site of the building collapse in Wellington Place. Emergency services dealing with the issue. It’s a miracle no one was killed as these are massive pieces of masonry that fell,” Cllr McKeown said.

“Firefighters were called to reports of the partial collapse of the front façade of a commercial building on Wellington Place, Belfast. Firefighters made the area safe and handed the scene over to building control. No persons have been injured. The incident was dealt with by 12.39pm,” NIFRS said.

The scene at Wellington Place
The scene at Wellington Place