Brighton building collapse: Bang heard as dust fills road

Bystanders described the moment debris crashed on to the pavement in Brighton this afternoon as part of a building's facade broke off.

Firefighters and police were called to the scene to close North Road and assess the damage.

Police kept a cordon around the debris (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Crowds gathered on the opposite pavement to take pictures and witness the damage for themselves. 

Fash Farzeh, manager at the the Burger Brothers restaurant next door,  said: "I heard something, like a loud noise and then a bang. Then there was loads of dust coming from the floor.

Passersby stopped to look at the damage (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

“It was more than someone just dropping a box or something.

“We have a little ledge outside which we’ve had to wipe bits of wood and plaster off. It's just lucky no one was hurt."

The hole in the building's facade has exposed the structure (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

The structure of the building, on the corner of Vine street, was left exposed after the collapse.

A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called at 12.55pm by Sussex Police to reports of masonry falling from a building on the corner of Vine Street, Brighton.

"One fire engine attended to help make the scene safe and hand it over to the building’s managing agent."