Watch Notting Hill House Collapse Horror as Residents Flee Crumbling Buildings in Middle of the Night

A major emergency unfolded in Notting Hill, west London, overnight after the roofs of several properties collapsed, prompting residents to flee for safety as their homes crumbled around them.

Eleven people were evacuated by emergency services in the early hours of Wednesday morning after multiple buildings partially collapsed, sending debris crashing into surrounding areas and leaving at least one exit blocked.

The incident, which occurred near the heart of the affluent neighbourhood, triggered a rapid response from London Fire Brigade, who deployed crews to the scene and used ladders to rescue trapped individuals from one of the worst-hit buildings. Firefighters also distributed helmets to residents for protection as they were evacuated from the dangerous structures.

According to fire officials, three roofs were affected by the sudden collapse, raising serious concerns over the structural safety of several neighbouring homes. While some residents were able to exit independently, others required assistance to escape the debris-filled properties.

A police cordon remains in place this morning, as structural engineers, emergency crews, and investigators continue to assess the damage and determine the cause of the incident.

“Like Something Out of a Disaster Film”

One local resident, woken by the sound of falling masonry, described the terrifying moment:

“There was this awful cracking sound, then crashing. We thought a tree had fallen or a vehicle had hit the house. When we realised it was the roof collapsing, people were running out in panic.”

Others described seeing tiles and brickwork strewn across the pavement, with parts of the street blocked off by fallen debris.

Investigations Underway

The cause of the collapse has yet to be confirmed. Early speculation suggests it may be related to ongoing renovation work, structural degradation, or recent adverse weather conditions. Structural engineers are currently carrying out surveys to assess the safety of the remaining buildings.

A Kensington and Chelsea Council spokesperson said:

“We were alerted to a possible roof collapse in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Officers immediately rushed to the scene to assess the incident and establish if residents needed support from the Council. Thankfully no one was injured and we provided accommodation and refreshments for residents who needed somewhere to stay.

“Our structural engineers and building control team were on site very early this morning and are assessing the structures. We anticipate disruption in the local area, including road closures, throughout the day. We’re grateful for the swift work of the emergency services.”

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson confirmed:

“Firefighters were called to reports of multiple roof collapses at residential properties in Notting Hill. Crews worked swiftly to evacuate 11 residents, including rescuing individuals from a blocked property. Thankfully, there are no reports of injuries at this stage.”

High-Value Homes Impacted

The incident occurred in an area known for its multi-million-pound Victorian and Georgian properties, many of which have been renovated or extended in recent years. Residents expressed concern over the safety of building works and have called for urgent inspections across similar properties in the area.

Local authorities are expected to issue a formal statement later today, while the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has advised residents to report any signs of structural instability in nearby buildings.

A Spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: Firefighters attended a partial building collapse affecting multiple properties on McGregor Road in Notting Hill.

A row of three terraced houses that have been converted into flats was affected. The front gable end of all three properties fell to ground level. Around 11 people were evacuated by firefighters from the properties. There were no reports of any injuries.

Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: “The first of our fire engines were on scene within three minutes of being notified about this incident.

“The crews were the first emergency responders to arrive and quickly set about determining whether anyone was still inside the properties. The majority of residents who were still inside were brought to safety by crews via an internal staircase. One person, whose home was on the lower ground floor, saw their exit blocked by rubble so firefighters used a ladder to bring them to street level.

“Residents were also provided with helmets from the fire rescue unit as a precaution as they were leaving the property to protect them in the event of any further falling rubble.

“Crews carried out a systematic search of the building and after liaising with partners at the scene, left the incident in the care of emergency service colleagues and the local authority.”

A cordon was put in place around the properties whilst the incident was ongoing and this remains in place this morning.

The Brigade was called at 0110 and Control Officers mobilised two fire engines from North Kensington Fire Station and a fire rescue unit from Chelsea Fire Station to the scene. A 32-metre turntable ladder from Paddington Fire Station also attended. It was used as an observation tower, helping to provide the Incident Commander with a greater situational awareness of the incident. The incident was over for firefighters by 0303.