Workmen escape building collapse

Two men working on a house in Birmingham had a "very lucky" escape when part of the building collapsed, ambulance officials have said.

The men had been trying to remove a chimney breast at the house in Slade Road, Erdington, when it collapsed, causing part of the roof to fall in.

Debris caused damage to several parked cars outside the house and a neighbouring restaurant was evacuated.

No-one was injured in the incident, the ambulance service said.

An urban search and rescue team were sent to the scene to check no-one was trapped in the rubble after the collapse, which happened at about 2045 BST on Thursday.

'Jump to safety'

The team was later stood down.

Rob Perkins, of West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "The two men were on the first floor of the property removing a chimney breast when it collapsed.

"Part of the roof fell in and much of a bay window disintegrated with debris damaging a number of vehicles outside the property.

"The two men told us that when the collapse started they were able to jump to safety inside the property and were unhurt.

"They have been incredibly lucky not to have been seriously injured."

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