A former office building being prepared for demolition collapsed in Glasgow city centre on Wednesday afternoon (22 January).
The building, at 138 Hydepark Street, is on the site of a proposed 26-storey student accommodation block where Graham is main contractor. The scheme is being developed by its client arm Graham Investment Projects.
A video published by the Scottish Sun shows the broken structure collapsing in front of shocked onlookers.
According to the newspaper, one worker was on the building’s first floor when he felt it starting to wobble. He sprinted out of the site to safety.
The newspaper quoted a passerby saying: “He very quickly got through the barriers and made his colleagues aware to get away from the building.
“It came down so quickly. It was the loudest bang I have ever heard.”
They added that the structure was not supposed to be demolished for “a while” and the workers were in shock.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said the service was called at 3.20pm to reports of the building collapse.
She added: “Operations Control mobilised two appliances to the scene and on arrival firefighters cordoned the area off and evacuated adjacent buildings as a precautionary measure.
“No casualties were reported, and crews left the scene at 8.20pm after ensuring the area was made safe.”
A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) told Construction News that they were liaising with the fire service about what happened.
Graham submitted plans for the site to Glasgow City Council last month.
The proposed scheme, estimated at a value of £71m by Glenigan, would see 410 purpose-built student accommodation bedspaces split across 236 studios and 174 cluster flats.
Graham submitted plans for the site to Glasgow City Council last month.
In a statement at the time, it said that the development would be “eco-friendly” and feature an “elegant slimline tower”
Permission has not yet been granted, with the company stating it expected a decision to be made in the spring.
Graham has been contacted for comment.
