A mother has spoken of her shock as scaffolding collapsed and smashed through the windows of her second-floor flat.
Nicola Wilson, 27, said she felt lucky to have escaped unhurt after strong winds caused the top layer of the 50ft framework in Centre Place, Prospect Close, Southend, to collapse.
She said: "I was watching television and eating lunch when I heard a bang and a crash and the windows had gone."
The scaffolding was fixed all around the building to allow work on roofs and windows as part of a major refurbishment project on the Kursaal estate.
A spokesman for Apollo London, the main contractor, said: "A freak gust of wind caused a minor collapse of the scaffolding.
"We have debris nets up and these acted like a sail. No one was injured but there was damage to windows to two second-floor flats.
"The residents involved have had their flats cleared and their windows made good immediately."
Published Thursday, January 30, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article