Major demolition starts on gutted shops

Demolition work has begun on buildings gutted in a raging fire which swept through two furniture stores in a Midland town.

An emergency operation to knock down what was left of Levines furniture store and the British Heart Foundation in Market Street, KIdderminster, was launched after structural engineers advised that the two stores, which were completely destroyed in the blaze, posed a significant safety risk.

A crane from Birmingham-based firm DSM Demolition moved in last night to take down the twisted steel frame which remained, along with the collapsed roof and unstable walls.

Passers-by and shoppers stopped to watch as the stores were reduced to rubble. New Road, Bridge Street and access to the Market Street car park in the town centre were expected to remain closed until at least this evening as the clear-up continued. DSM contracts manager Billy Young said their aim was to make the site safe as quickly as possible.