'Mayhem' - Birmingham witnesses describe huge dust cloud as building collapses during rush hour

The two storey terrace fell down causing a dust cloud

Residents have described the mayhem which unfolded after a building suddenly collapsed - sending a huge dust cloud into the air. Parents were busy on the school run while businesses prepared for the day ahead when a two-storey house fell down on Cotterills Lane, just by a bridge and roundabout at 9am today, Wednesday, October 16.

Witnesses said they heard a loud bang and saw a plume of dust rise before the police and multiple fire service crews descended on the scene. Neighbours were evacuated from homes as a precaution.

The shuttered building was said to have been empty for some time and no injuries were reported. By the afternoon, the road remained closed off while utility companies, engineers and emergency workers continued their investigations.

READ MORE: First view of 'structurally dangerous' Birmingham building after collapse

A mum from Cotterills Lane said: “I was driving my daughter to school about 8.45am, I was passing that section and I heard a loud noise. I can’t describe it because it happened so quickly.

"I thought something had happened to my car first. I looked to my right and saw dust and the bricks falling down. Luckily, I noticed there was no-one passing by.

"On the way back from school I could see the side of the building open with the rubble on the ground. It was a house with no side on it.

"I’m glad no-one was there. “That property has had fencing around it for a long time.”

Brian Riddell, a committee member from Cotterills Lane Social Club, said: “I was here at the time and I saw a load of dust. It all went up.

“That was while the fire crew and police were here and they blocked the road off. There was a load of fire and police running around.

“I heard it collapse- it sounded like a rush. The front has gone. I came back inside because it was mayhem outside. People were trying to turn the cars around in the middle of the road.

"This is a busy road and the ambulance route for Heartlands Hospital.”

Ahmadzai Alam, who both lives on Cotterills lane and owns Abaas Mini Market, said : “I arrived at 10am and the shop was already open. A worker rang me and said the police and fire brigade were here and a house nearby had collapsed. The police told me to come out the shop because it was unsafe.

“I’m waiting here now. It’s been more than two hours. The building which fell down was empty. Everyone is bringing me tea.”

In a statement, the fire service said: "An At 8.57am today crews were mobilised to reports of a structurally dangerous building on Cotterills Lane, Birmingham. The incident involved the gable end of a two-storey terraced property which had collapsed, prompting the evacuation of neighbouring properties as a precaution. No individuals were believed to be injured.

"West Midlands Police are in attendance and have cordoned off the area, and road closures are in place. Crews are working with Cadent Gas and the National Grid, who are assessing the scene to ensure the utilities are safely isolated. Specialist teams, including the council’s structural engineer and our technical rescue teams, have been called to assist.

"Using a specialist aerial drone to survey the scene, our firefighters continue their efforts to manage the situation safely. We ask that the public avoid the area while the incident is ongoing.

"A crew from Ward End Fire Station remains in attendance."