Million-Pound Wimbledon Home Collapses Overnight During Renovations
A luxury £1 million house in Wimbledon, Surrey, dramatically collapsed overnight while undergoing basement renovations. The family was away when builders working on an underground swimming pool caused the property to cave in.
Neighbours Evacuated as House Crumbles
Neighbours were rushed from their homes after the building came crashing down on Derwent Avenue, Kingston Vale. An off-duty policeman living nearby broke down the back door, fearing the owners — believed to be a local doctor — might still be inside.
Basement Work Blamed for Collapse
The two-storey home, located on a pricey street between Richmond and London’s famous Richmond Park, was undergoing major refurbishments. Early reports suggest the basement wasn’t properly supported during the swimming pool installation, triggering the collapse.
Firefighters Conduct Overnight Search
- Fire brigade called just after 1:10 AM
- Extensive search confirmed no one was inside at the time
- Crews from New Malden, Wandsworth, Kingston, Battersea, and Heston fire stations attended
- Firefighters remained on scene until nearly 5 AM
The street boasts average house prices of around £1.3 million, making this one of the priciest crashes in the area’s recent history.
