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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Abigail Nicholson

'Petrified' children heard loud bang as chimney fell down in storm

Children were "petrified" after hearing a loud bang as tonight's storm damaged their home.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) were called to a property in Wallasey Village this afternoon following reports of a chimney stack falling on a roof. Merseyside Police closed Wallasey Village in both directions for the public's safety.

Eyewitnesses reported the chimney stack fell which caused a number of bricks to fall into the middle of Wallasey Village, including onto the roof of a car. One woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said she heard a "loud bang" and "vibrations" in her home as the chimney stack fell.

READ MORE: Jermaine Pennant's abandoned mansion gutted by blaze weeks after fire destroyed home

She told The ECHO : "My kids were in the bath and we just heard this loud bang and felt these vibrations all around the house. The kids were in the bath and they were petrified, it was really scary.

"I called the fire brigade and they got here pretty quickly. We were stuck in the hallway for about three hours as they were checking it out. I was scared something would fall through the roof."

A number of people living in flats have been evacuated until a building inspector marks the property as safe. The chimney stack falling led to a number of tiles becoming loose on the roof, which firefighters have removed.

A chimney fell down from the roof of a building in Wallasey Village (Abigail Nicholson/Liverpool ECHO)

The mum added: "It's very lucky nobody was killed, people are always walking along that road and going in and out of the hairdressers. This could have ended very differently.

"Another chimney stack fell down into the road in February, and it was the same as this time with the road being closed and everything."

A spokesperson from MFRS said: "One fire engine and an aerial appliance are currently in attendance. The chimney stack of the property is damaged and there are loose tiles on the roof.

"A safety cordon has been put in place and the aerial appliance set up. Merseyside Police are also in attendance and have closed off the road. The police are managing the cordon.

"Firefighters are aboard the aerial appliance and removing damaged bricks. The police are advising local residents on Leasowe Avenue to remain indoors while work to remove the loose brickwork is completed.

"This is due to the property backing onto this street. The landlord of the property has been informed and a Wirral Council building inspector has been requested.

"Please avoid the area, this is an ongoing incident."

The incident came as a yellow weather warning for strong winds was in place. Merseyside was hit with gusts of up to 48mph.

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