Linbrook and Keltbray called in to deal with building collapse

Contractor Linbrook Services and civil engineer and demolition specialist Keltbray have been called in to deal with last night's collapse of a four-storey building on Whitechapel, London.

Linbrook contracts manager Paul Martin said that his firm, which is a specialist in securing dangerous structures, was called in last night (Tuesday) to remove scaffolding from the outside of the building and allow the fire brigade access to the scene.

He indicated that his firm called upon Keltbray to provide a mobile crane for the operation.

Ten adults, some of whom were thought to be builders working on internal refurbishments to the building, were treated for shock by the London ambulance service following the collapse. A young child was also treated. None was seriously injured.

Speaking to CJ, a London Fire Brigade spokesman said there were no reports of anyone missing following the collapse, although fire services were using listening equipment and search and rescue dogs to check for people trapped in the rubble as part of standard procedure.

In a statement, the London Fire Brigade said there was "some indication" from its search and rescue dogs that there may be someone trapped inside, but it stressed that there was no conclusive evidence of this.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed that it has sent three inspectors to the site of the collapse today.

A cordon of around 100m is expected to remain around the building for the rest of the day, while rescuers search deeper in the building.

The collapse occurred yesterday (Tuesday) at 30-38 Commercial Road at 16:39pm. Around fifty firefighters attended the site at the height of the incident.