House Collapse Triggers Mass Evacuation in Portsmouth
A terrifying house collapse on Langford Road, Copnor, Portsmouth, forced a mass evacuation this morning. Firefighters rushed to the scene at around 8.30am on Wednesday 7th December 2022 after parts of the terraced home’s roof caved in, sending a huge cloud of dust over nearby vehicles.
Two Treated, No Serious Injuries Reported
Miraculously, no one was seriously hurt. The homeowner escaped just as the property collapsed after she put her key in the front door. Two casualties were treated on scene by South Central Ambulance Service and taken to hospital.
Fire Crews and Specialist Teams on Scene
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue deployed several crews, including specialist USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) teams.
- Search and structural checks were carried out on neighbouring properties to ensure safety.
- Firefighters worked alongside South Gas Networks and UK Power to isolate gas and electricity supply to prevent further damage.
- The road was closed in both directions, with cordons set up for public safety.
Investigation Underway After Explosion Reported
Officials confirmed that the collapse followed reports of an explosion. Hampshire Police and Portsmouth City Council engineers have taken over the investigation. Fire crews stood down just before midday after securing the scene.
“Firefighters were called to Langford Road after a terraced house collapsed. Several houses were evacuated, and emergency services worked hard to secure the area,” said a Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service statement.
Residents remain shaken as authorities continue to investigate the cause of the dramatic collapse.
