Demolition begins after building collae forces road closure in Bradford City Centre

Demolition work has started in Bradford city center, a week after part of a building collapsed onto a busy road. The incident happened last Monday when masonry began falling from an empty Yorkshire stone building, leaving debris scattered across Dale Street.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 6:50am after reports of an unsafe structure. Police closed off the road, and residents living in nearby flats were evacuated as a precaution. By the end of last week, demolition specialists had brought in heavy machinery, and the clean-up process is now underway.

Joshua Swift, from demolition firm Jennings of Pudsey, said a 20-tonne excavator is being used to clear fallen stone, brickwork, and timber from the floors and roof. He explained that the team is only removing parts of the structure as instructed, with the aim of leaving the building in a stable and safe condition.

The collapse left a large vertical opening in the five-storey building, running from the roof down to the first floor. An outer wall was left dangerously leaning inward, with stone window frames and a collapsed tiled roof visible behind it.

Mr Swift said the plan involves removing several sections of windows in stages to eliminate the dangerous lean. A high-reach excavator may be brought in later this week to further secure the structure. The machine, which can reach up to 28m, will require police supervision and temporary road closures, and arrangements are being made with Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Police.

Bradford Council confirmed that the landlord of the evacuated flats is helping affected residents find alternative accommodation. The council is also in contact with representatives of the building’s owner and stressed that ensuring the site’s safety is the owner’s responsibility. Dale Street will remain closed until officials confirm it is safe to reopen.