Demolition experts in the north west have been left red faced after failing to bring down two 15-storey tower blocks, leaving nearby residents unable to return home.
Two vacant high-rise buildings in Seaforth, Merseyside, were due to be demolished simultaneously on Sunday morning. However, following the controlled explosion both remained standing, with one of the towers, Churchill House, collapsing suddenly a few hours later. Contractors made a second attempt to bring down the second tower, Montgomery House, but failed.
"One Vision Housing staff continue to be in attendance at the hotels to ensure that those residents have the relevant support and access to information."
The situation has left a number of residents spending a second night away from their homes for safety reasons. Owners One Vision Housing and demolition company J Bryan (Victoria) are investigating and still deciding what to do next.
The most recent update from J Bryan (Victoria) is that they are planning to carry out a phased demolition of the remaining structure of Montgomery House.
In a statement, One Vision said: “One Vision Housing is doing everything it can to ensure that those residents affected by the ongoing exclusion zone (circa 70 properties) are being made as comfortable as possible with hotel accommodation, food, drink and other provisions. One Vision Housing staff continue to be in attendance at the hotels to ensure that those residents have the relevant support and access to information.”
