Scared Edinburgh local warns 'nothing has been done' days after flats fell in storm

Local residents claim 'nothing has been done'
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


An Edinburgh resident has raised concerns over the safety of a building after claiming 'nothing has been done' following damage from Storm Éowyn.

On Friday, the heart-stopping moment when the side of a block of flats on Hawkill Crescent fell 50 feet was caught on camera. Bricks fell from the six-storey building onto the ground below, wiping out a table and chairs in the process.

A resident who lives opposite, and prefers to remain anonymous, has claimed 'nothing has been done to secure the site' since. An image taken on Sunday morning shows the balcony hanging 'by a thread'.

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While the resident says fire crews did attend the incident on Friday, they 'weren't able to do much' during the storm.

Speaking to Edinburgh Live, the resident said: "It was pretty wild, it's a bit of a wind tunnel.

"This particular bit is pretty wild even when it's not that bad. I think it just shows pretty shoddy building though.

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"I don't know how these things work, but I don't think it should look like that.

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"The main thing, however, is that I just don't think it is safe. It's days now that the balcony has been hanging off like that."

It's understood that fire crews attended on Friday when the first damage was made, and 'put up tape'. The resident claims this soon flew off amid the winds, admitting that there was 'very little' the crews could have done at that point.

More brick work soon fell off, and 'nothing has been done since'.

bricks
Dozens of bricks fell onto the ground floor outdoor seating area and pavement. -Credit:TikTok/@aroobbutt4

They continued: "The balcony is hanging by a thread.

"It could come off at any second and it's just been left hanging over the downstairs neighbours window. They look quite light, it could blow out the way and hit a person or a car.

"You can see more brickwork has fallen out, and the balcony is now hanging precariously. Later on Friday a few firemen came out but they couldn't do much when the storm was at it's height, but I would've expected the site to be secured since then.

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"There's kids that live round here. I'm just concerned.

"Nothing has been done to secure the surrounding area, cars are parked below, and residents are still in the flats surrounding."

Edinburgh Council has been approached for comment.