Storm tears wall off warehouse and dumps it in the road

Winds from Storm Franklin peeled off nearly a full section of wall off a warehouse and flung it into the road.

Thompson and Capper on Hardwick Road in Runcorn said the damage happened at around 6.30am on Monday

The incident led to the closure of Astmoor Road while debris was cleared from the highway.

Karen Leay, the company’s deputy managing director, told the ECHO no staff or members of the public were injured as she praised the support provided by police, fire and council services.

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Cheshire Constabulary said officers were called at around 6.55am to assist Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service with road closures after panels were blown off a warehouse.

The removal of the wall has left the warehouse interior visible from the outside but the business, which manufactures vitamins and pharmaceuticals, is operating as normal.

A tattered edge marks the spot where the last section of wall remained in place as the rest was wrenched off by the force of Storm Franklin. (runcornweeklynews)

Ms Leay said: “ Thankfully no injuries were sustained to any of our employees or members of the public.

“The road was closed until around 4pm whilst all the debris was safely removed from the road and the building secured.

“We are continuing to work on completing remedial repairs to the building.

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“We received tremendous support from the local fire brigade, police and Halton Borough Council.

“We are also happy to report that there has been little impact on the business, and we are continuing to operate as normal.”

The warehouse, situated on Astmoor Industrial Estate, was granted planning permission in May 2019.

Storm Franklin was the third storm to hit the region within a few days, killing at least 14 people across Europe according to press reports including from Bloomberg and the Daily Express.

Elsewhere in Runcorn, Storm Franklin ripped the roof off Brereton Close flats in Castlefields, leaving some residents in temporary accommodation following the block’s evacuation.

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