Pub boss describes ‘crash’ after strong winds cause part of former church tower to collapse
A former Middlesbrough church has been cordoned off after strong winds caused parts of its tower to "collapse."
Fire crews were called to the Grade II listed Tower Club[1] on Newport Road after debris fell from the structure onto the street below. This came amid a yellow weather[2] warning across the region as Storm Pia brings gusty winds of up to 50mph.
The site, formerly known as St Cuthberts Church and the Phoenix, has been taped off by emergency services, with temporary purple fences being held down by sandbags. Fears for public safety also sparked the closure of the A66[3] slip road eastbound to Cannon Park, which runs beside the venue.
Popular pub The Chapel, which is on Whitehouse Street and located next door to the tower, was forced to close for the day. A statement said that the the venue will wait for the full assessment and advice from the structural engineers at the site.
Russell Towers, one of the owners of The Chapel, told Teesside Live that he heard a "crash" around 9.30am and that there have been several falls since then, the most recent being around 12.30pm.
Some of the debris that fell from the tower (Image: Russell Towers)
The 44-year-old said: "The Chapel is all fine but we have been advised not to go into it. We heard a crash at around 9.30am - at first, I thought a lorry had crashed on the A66.
"We are waiting for structural engineers to come out and they need to assess the damage. We decided to shut under the advisement of the engineer and the fire brigade. They have put some big steel [fences] up now.
"We don't want customers coming into a place that is potentially unsafe," Russell added. He said that some debris had fallen into the venue's beer garden and that the damage appeared to be on one of the smaller towers of the structure.
The closure means The Chapel has been forced to reschedule its Christmas quiz, which was planned for Thursday evening. It hopes to re-open on Friday.
A Cleveland Fire Brigade[4] spokesperson said: "We were called at 10.12am this morning to what was formally known as St Cuthberts Church where the tower is being affected by the strong winds and parts are collapsing.
"Due to falling debris and public safety, the A66 slip road onto Newport Road is closing until further notice and A66 east slip road to Cannon Park also being closed. Two crews from Middlesbrough[5] Fire Station are at the location to provide any assistance needed alongside Cleveland Police[6]."
Teesside Live has contacted Middlesbrough Council[7] for comment.
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References
- ^ Grade II listed Tower Club (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ weather (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ A66 (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Cleveland Fire Brigade (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Middlesbrough (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Cleveland Police (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Middlesbrough Council (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ click this link and select 'Join Community (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Teesside Live (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ can read our Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)
- ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ go here (www.gazettelive.co.uk)