House Collapse Sparks Mass Evacuation in Portsmouth
A terraced house on Langford Road, Copnor, Portsmouth, dramatically collapsed at around 8.30am this morning, triggering a large-scale evacuation of neighbouring homes. Firefighters raced to the scene amid fears people might be trapped beneath the rubble.
Two Treated, No Serious Injuries
Miraculously, no serious injuries have been reported. The homeowner narrowly escaped harm after the property gave way just as she was putting the key in the front door. Two casualties were treated by South Central Ambulance Service paramedics and rushed to hospital as a precaution.
Fire Crews Launch Full Rescue and Safety Operation
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue deployed multiple crews, including specialist Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams
- Road closures and evacuations of nearby houses were enforced immediately
- South Gas Networks and UK Power worked quickly to isolate utilities to prevent further damage
- Firefighters carried out thorough structural checks on surrounding properties
Explosion Reported, Investigation Underway
Parts of the roof caved in with a massive smoke cloud blanketing the area, dust settling over parked cars. An explosion is suspected to have triggered the collapse, and authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause. Hampshire Constabulary and Portsmouth City Council engineers are now leading the probe.
“Southsea Fire Station crews and USAR advisors made the scene safe before handing over to police and council engineers,” said Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. At 11.08am, crews stood down and returned to base after a thorough operation.
