Notting Hill Roof Collapse Sparks Midnight Evacuations
Terrified Residents Flee After Roof Gives Way
Chaos erupted in Notting Hill shortly after 1am Wednesday when the front gable end of a terraced house’s roof on McGregor Road suddenly collapsed. Bricks and rubble rained onto the pavement and gardens, forcing 12 residents from three homes to flee for their lives.
Emergency crews acted fast, dispatching two fire engines and dozens of firefighters to the scene to rescue anyone trapped and to assess the structural damage. Engineers later declared the buildings unsafe.
“It Sounded Like a Car Crash”
Lorna Sweeting, 59, a grandmother of six, described the shocking moment she was jolted awake.
“I told my husband to wake up, then we heard the most horrendous bang. I thought it was a car crashing into us,” she said. “We have no idea what caused it. When we tried to open the gate, even more rubble fell down. We just wanted to get out but couldn’t.”
Firefighters eventually got Lorna to safety, taking her and other evacuees to the Kensington Hilton Hotel for shelter.
Close Call for Young Resident
Twenty-year-old Ali Sisse had just arrived home minutes before the collapse.
“Everything shook for five seconds, like an earthquake. I grabbed my kitten, Luna, who was terrified,” Ali recalled. “If I’d missed my bus, I’d be dead. It’s by God’s grace I’m alive.”
Ali bravely went door to door to alert neighbours, many of whom were elderly and needed help evacuating.
Council and Fire Brigade Respond
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council confirmed no injuries but assured temporary accommodation and support for displaced residents.
“We were alerted to a possible roof collapse early Wednesday morning,” said a council spokesperson. “Thankfully, no one was hurt. We provided accommodation and refreshments for those affected.”
Structural engineers are currently inspecting the damage. Nearby roads remain closed as investigations continue.
London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne praised the swift emergency response.
“Our fire engines were on scene within three minutes and crews quickly checked whether anyone was inside. Most residents left safely via staircases, while one person trapped by rubble was rescued with a ladder.”
Authorities urge residents to avoid the area and stay updated through official channels as investigations into the collapse unfold.
Stay tuned for the latest on this dramatic Notting Hill disaster.
