Residents still cannot return after building collapse

About 25 residents who were evacuated after a neighbouring building collapsed in Leicester city centre will be unable to return to their homes until next week, officials have said.

Police were called to Wharf Street South on 13 July to reports of the collapse of a former factory building, with one person sustaining minor injuries from falling debris.

Leicester City Council said it was forced to carry out emergency work to partially demolish and secure the building, which is expected to be completed by Tuesday.

The authority added that affected residents will be able return to their homes after specialists are "entirely satisfied there is no further risk to public safety".

The fire service said firefighters dealt with the initial collapse, and there was a second collapse involving the roof and other brickwork. Several roads in the area were closed.

About 25 residents were provided with overnight accommodation and told they would be allowed to return home "as soon as the area has been made safe".

Severn Trent Water confirmed its teams had been called to a "major" internal leak at a disused building in Wharf Street prior to the collapse.

It is not yet know what caused the damage, but Leicestershire Police confirmed it was not caused by an explosion.

Leicester City Council said a full assessment of the damaged building was carried out and it was forced to take "immediate action" to demolish and secure the site.

It said specialist demolition contractors were in the final stages of emergency work to make the building safe.

"This has been a complex operation involving the careful demolition and removal of a significant portion of the building," a spokesperson said.

"Emergency work is now expected to be complete by Tuesday 28 July.

"We hope that affected residents to be able to return to their homes by the middle of next week, but this will be kept under review until we are entirely satisfied that there is no further risk to public safety.

"All expenses incurred during this emergency operation will be recovered from the property owner."

Wharf Street South remains closed while demolition work is carried out.

Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.