Collapse-site houses demolished

Eve and Terry Shepherd's house collapsed in the night

Three homes closest to a house which collapsed in the middle of the night are to be demolished.

Bromley council obtained a court order allowing it to knock down the adjoining property and two other semi-detached houses in Ridley Road.

The south-east London council said the order had to be obtained because of complex ownership issues.

Engineers will then investigate the cause of last Tuesday's collapse which left a hole in the road.

There has been speculation that a mine shaft, a well or the high-speed Eurostar track behind the houses, might be to blame.

Temporary Accommodation

The house, built in the 1970s, are mostly privately-owned.

Number 122 suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night, but its residents Eve and Terry Shepherd managed to escape unhurt.

The residents of 20 houses near the collapsed home have stayed away - either with family and friends or at a nearby hotel.

Mr and Mrs Shepherd believe they could have to stay in temporary accommodation for another nine months.

The whole estate's gas supplies have been cut off but sewage and water pipes are working.

Site made safe

It is not clear if more homes will have to be bulldozed.

A statement from Bromley Council said: "Following a hearing at Bromley Magistrates' Court yesterday, the council has obtained a court order for the demolition of the four houses closest to the area that collapsed on Ridley Road.

"We are currently finalising arrangements with our contractor and expect the demolition to take place tomorrow morning (Saturday, 22 April).

"Residents have been informed and once the site is made safe further investigation into the cause and extent of the problem can begin."