A DERELICT building in the centre of Horsefair started to collapse to the ground last night.

Firefighters and police were called to the derelict old post office on the junction of Blackwell Street and Radford Avenue, in Kidderminster, at around 9.30pm on Wednesday night (May 24).

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Kidderminster Shuttle:

(^^ Pictures from John Kennett)

A spokesman from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews from Kidderminster, Worcester and Droitwich attended the incident which involved a three storey building.

"All persons were accounted for and the adjacent properties were evacuated.

"The incident has been left with the local authority."

A spokesman from West Mercia Police added: "Shortly after 9.30pm on Wednesday, we received a report that a three-storey building in Radford Avenue, in Kidderminster, had collapsed.

"Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service are leading.

"Officers from West Mercia Police provided scene guard and traffic management."

No one was injured in the incident. 

A structural engineer has been on site assessing the building.

A spokesman from Worcestershire County Council said: "I can confirm that Radford Avenue is closed and a short local diversion has been put in place."

Councillor Steven Walker said: "It was a shame for the building as the Horsefair and Proud group had spent a lot of time, effort and money making this building look a bit more respectable for local residents, by painting it and putting posters of photos of the Horsefair from the past.

"This money is now possibly going to be wasted if the building is demolished and deemed unsafe - but on a positive note this eyesore would be gone and the residents could possibly make this corner look better."

Kidderminster Shuttle:

(^^ Picture from Steven Walker)

More information to follow.