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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Oliver Clay

Storm Franklin rips roof off block of flats as hundred evacuated

A block of flats was evacuated this morning after Storm Franklin ripped off the roof.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) said 100 residents were displaced by the incident, which was reported at about 9.54am on Brereton Close in Castlefields, Runcorn.

Police said no one is believed to have been injured.

When the ECHO visited the scene, four police cars were in attendance along with housing association vehicles.

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A large pile of roof debris was heaped in the car park and a section of panels was still visible hanging off the edge of the top of the building.

Further single roof panels were scattered about the ground further towards the middle of the block.

Cordons were in place.

Housing workers survey the damage at Brereton Close in Runcorn this morning. (runcornweeklynews)

Two fire engines, from Runcorn and Widnes, had also attended.

The incident came as Storm Franklin brought more strong winds within days of the pummelling from Storms Dudley and Eunice.

A large pile of roof panels ripped off a block of flats by Storm Franklin. (runcornweeklynews)

The Met Office said more “ unsettled weather ” is due this week but the impact is expected to be “much lower”.

A Cheshire Police spokeswoman said: “At around 9.45am today, Monday, February 21, officers on patrol in Runcorn became aware of structural damage to the roof of a building on Brereton Close, Runcorn.

“Part of the roof of the three-storey block of flats has blown off and landed on a nearby car park.

Police outside the cordon. (runcornweeklynews)

“A cordon was put in place as a precautionary measure and residents within the building were spoken to and advised to stay indoors.

“There were no reports of any injuries and the scene has since been passed to the owners of the building.”

A CFRS spokesperson said: “Around 100 people were evacuated from a block of flats after the roof blew off.

“Fire crews isolated gas and electricity supplies to affected properties and liaised with the local authority to ascertain the structural damage.

“They also accessed a flat roof for further inspection.

“Loose debris from storm damage is to be made safe by contractors.

“Police officers attended the incident.”

Elsewhere in Runcorn, police closed Astmoor Road in both directions due to panels that had blown off the exterior walls.

A Cheshire Police spokeswoman said: “Police were called at around 6.55am to assist Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service with road closures after side panels had blown off a warehouse.”

Around in the city region, a fire engine was in collision with a van in Kirkby, bin collections stopped in Wirral, trees were toppled, a plane made an emergency landing and roads were shut.

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