Gable End Collapse at High Street Retirement Complex

A High Street was closed and residents were evacuated following the collapse of the gable end of a retirement apartment complex. Emergency services were dispatched to Embassy Court in Maldon at 09:30 GMT after a section of the upper part of the four-storey structure gave way. The Essex County Fire & Rescue Service reported that no individuals were injured or trapped, the site was secured, and fire crews and police departed the scene by 11:00. Emergency personnel also responded to a Christmas Fayre in Wickford around 12:15, where a marquee was overturned by winds associated with Storm Bert, striking three pedestrians and causing minor injuries. A social media user stated her mother was involved in the incident, being left “cut and bruised and very shaken up,” while another witness described seeing a man with “blood and a bash on the face.” The fire service confirmed that its crew provided first aid to the affected individuals before transferring them into the care of the ambulance service. It remains unconfirmed whether the partial collapse of the Maldon building was linked to Storm Bert, which has generated strong winds across the East of England. Station manager Ryan Ainger commented, “Crews worked hard to remove sections of the roof and cleared the loft of any items so they were not blown away by the wind.” He added, “Initial crews put a cordon in place to maintain the safety of public as the bricks had fallen on to the neighbouring building and the alleyway below.” Firefighters from Maldon indicated that they were joined on the High Street by crews from Chelmsford, Colchester, urban search and rescue teams, the hazardous area response team, and police. Meanwhile, the Essex County Fire & Rescue Service reported that its control room had received “a large number of calls for fallen trees.” In Great Baddow, located on the outskirts of Chelmsford, a tree fell, obstructing a road near the parish council offices and parish hall. A party was underway inside, but no injuries were sustained.