BREAKING: Embassy Court ‘unsafe’ as roof collapse shuts Maldon High Street amid storm Bert disruption

By Ben Shahrabi

Firefighters are working to make Embassy Court safe after the roof partially collapsed. (Credit: ECFRS and Janine Dallison)

The roof of a retirement complex has partially collapsed amid strong winds, shutting Maldon High Street as Storm Bert batters the district.

Multiple police and fire crews are at Embassy Court, where the gable end of the roof has collapsed onto the road below.

Fire crews from Maldon, Colchester and Chelmsford are attending, as firefighters continue to work to make the building and surrounding area safe.

Pictures show rubble piled close to the bottom of the building. (Credit: Jo Curnick)

In a statement, a spokesperson for Maldon Fire Station confirmed: “Firefighters are currently attending a collapsed structure incident along with colleagues from Chelmsford, Colchester and Urban Search & Rescue - as well as the Hazardous Area Response Team and local police.

“As the structure has not yet been declared safe, please be aware the High Street is currently closed from the Wantz Road Junction to Victoria Road.”

A fire service drone shot shows the large emergency response. (Credit: ECFRS)

The incident comes as a yellow weather warning for wind has been issued by the Met Office, with the forecaster adding: “Strong winds due to Storm Bert may cause some disruption across central and eastern parts of England during Sunday.”

Embassy Court, built on the site of the former Embassy cinema in 1987, is home to around 30 retirement flats for people aged over 60 years old.

It is not yet known how long the High Street will remain closed for. A spokesperson for Essex Police has been approached for comment.

This is a developing story. More to follow.