Injured roofer believed to have returned home following chimney collapse (From Croydon Guardian)

Injured roofer believed to have returned home following chimney collapse in Whitehorse Road, Croydon

11:01am Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News

A roofer who was injured after a chimney collapsed is believed to have returned home.

The man, in his 50s, suffered back injuries after the chimney collapsed through the roof of the Assurance Nursing and Employment Agency on Friday afternoon.

Whitehorse Road was closed to traffic from Hogarth Crescent to Windmill Road whilst checks on the building were carried out.

London Fire brigade, London Ambulance Service and police all attended the incident, as well as a council surveyor to check the safety of the building.

It is estimated that about 2.5 tonnes of brickwork had to be removed from the site. The collapsed chimney was held up by ceiling joists.

A Council spokesman said: “Our building control surveyors worked with the roofers and property owners throughout the weekend to ensure that the building was made safe whilst keeping disruption to traffic to a minimum.

“All of the work that was required in the short-term was completed by Sunday. However we will continue to monitor the situation until such time as full repairs have been carried out.”