Storm damaged buildings to be assessed for risk to public safety

Part of Larne town centre remains closed to the public, after a number of buildings were damaged by high winds on Friday evening.
By Stephen Gamble
Published 6th Dec 2015, 14:56 BST
Part of Dunluce Street and Lower Cross Street will remain sealed off until safety checks have been completed. INLT 50-670-CONPart of Dunluce Street and Lower Cross Street will remain sealed off until safety checks have been completed. INLT 50-670-CON
Part of Dunluce Street and Lower Cross Street will remain sealed off until safety checks have been completed. INLT 50-670-CON

Corrugated metal, joists, slates and tiles were torn off roofs of premises on Dunluce Street and Lower Cross Street, with large chunks of debris strewn across the road. One witness described the scene as a “disaster zone” in the aftermath of the incident.

Staff from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s building control service were at the scene on Saturday morning to begin the clean-up operation.

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The affected area remains sealed off and will not reopen until the local authority is satisfied there is no danger to the public.

Part of Dunluce Street and Lower Cross Street will remain sealed off until safety checks have been completed. INLT 50-670-CONPart of Dunluce Street and Lower Cross Street will remain sealed off until safety checks have been completed. INLT 50-670-CON
Part of Dunluce Street and Lower Cross Street will remain sealed off until safety checks have been completed. INLT 50-670-CON

Alderman Gregg McKeen told the Times: “Damage was caused to a number of buildings on Dunluce Street and Lower Cross Street, and these premises will have to be assessed for risk to public safety.

“Property owners will have to contact their insurance companies and ensure their buildings are safe. Staff from the council’s building control service will be on site on Monday morning to provide assistance.”

No one was injured as a result of the storm damage, which took place around 8.30pm on Friday.

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Mark Dobbin, who owns a property on Dunluce Street, described the scene as “absolute carnage”.

The scene of destruction on Dunluce Street the morning after the storm. INLT 50-690-CONThe scene of destruction on Dunluce Street the morning after the storm. INLT 50-690-CON
The scene of destruction on Dunluce Street the morning after the storm. INLT 50-690-CON

He told the Times: “It looked like a bomb had gone off. The whole street was covered in debris, from where the hoarding is on Dunluce Street right down to the old Poundstretcher building. Some power lines and Christmas lights on the street were down as well.”

The Larne Times office on Dunluce Street is one of a number of premises affected by the incident.

Related topics:Larne