HSE investigating after house demolition debris hits car traveling on A1
A safety probe is underway after debris from a house undergoing demolition plunged into the path of traffic on the A1.
Just last week the Chronicle reported how the derelict eyesore known as Blyth Villa, in Dunston, Gateshead, was finally being torn down, amid fears the former home could fall onto the road below.
But on Wednesday drivers on the A1 narrowly escaped serious accidents when debris from the demolition site fell onto the busy dual carriageway.
And the Health and Safety Executive has now launched an investigation into the manner in which the demolition, ordered by Gateshead Council, has been carried out.
A HSE spokeswoman said: “I can confirm that the HSE is aware of the incident and is investigating the whole circumstances.”
Blyth Villa has been in a perilous state for some time, and the boarded-up three-bedroom house became more unstable in March when it was targeted by arsonists.
Gateshead Council petitioned magistrates to order its owner, Malcolm Howe, who is currently in Durham prison, to demolish the house within 48 hours or the authority would do it itself.
And a week ago contractors from Thompsons of Prudhoe moved in to bring it down.
However, on Wednesday debris fell onto the A1 damaging a car while it was being driven along the road.
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