Terrace House Collapses in Copnor, Portsmouth – Mass Evacuations Underway
A terrifying house collapse on Langford Road, Copnor, Portsmouth, triggered a mass evacuation this morning. Firefighters raced to the scene at around 8:30am on Wednesday, December 7th, after reports of an explosion and structural failure.
Two Lucky Escapes as Roof Collapses Into Dust Cloud
Miraculously, no serious injuries have been reported. The homeowner narrowly escaped injury moments after inserting the key into her front door, just before the entire property gave way. Nearby vehicles were blanketed in dust as parts of the roof came crashing down, creating a huge smoke cloud.
Fire Crews and Specialists Tackle Rescue Operation
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue sent multiple crews, including specialist Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams, over fears people were trapped inside.
- Firefighters conducted thorough searches and structural assessments of neighbouring homes to ensure safety.
- South Central Ambulance Service treated two casualties at the scene before rushing them to hospital.
Road Closed and Utilities Shut Off as Investigation Begins
Hampshire Police closed Langford Road in both directions while several nearby homes were evacuated. South Gas Networks and UK Power were called out to isolate gas and electricity supplies to prevent further hazards.
The incident was officially handed over to Hampshire Constabulary and Portsmouth City Council engineers for a full investigation into what caused the dramatic collapse.
“Southsea Fire Station crews and USAR advisors were on-site to assess the damage and secure the area,” said Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. “The road remains closed as a cordon is in place and safety checks continue.”
At 11:08am, firefighters stood down after the scene was declared safe.
