Firefighters at building collapse in Broad Street Lyme Regis

The street was closed in the area of the Bell Cliff restaurant and tea rooms as Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) responded to an incident on Wednesday morning.

The fire crews remained on the scene to ensure the area is safe prior to scaffolding being erected shortly before midday. It's understood no-one was hurt.

Crews are making sure the area is safe before the road reopens (Image: Bob Speer)

A spokesperson for DWFRS said: "We received a call at 7.46am about an unsafe structure on Broad Street Road, Lyme Regis.

"A crew from Lyme Regis attended the incident which involved a piece of render which had fallen from the building – firefighters removed the debris and assisted in scene safety with building control and a structural engineer."

Lyme Regis Town Council on social media earlier: "Broad Street currently closed at the Bell Cliff.

"Fortunately nobody is hurt and the fire service are making sure the area is safe."

Bob Speer, owner of the Sanctuary Bookshop opposite where the partial building collapse occurred also described what he could see from his shop window as fire crews worked.

He said: "The fire crew are here now to stabilise it, there are about six of them and they have pulled off all the loose masonry of the street side side of the building."

Fire crews removed the loose masonry from the street side of teh building before scaffolding was erected (Image: Bob Speer)

Scaffolding was put in place by 1pm meaning the road is unlikely to reopen anytime soon and could have a big effect on the town

Mr Speer added: "Broad Street is now closed for through traffic and the word is for weeks - that will have a big impact."

The road is also part of the route for the Remembrance Sunday parade due to take place on Sunday, November 12, and the town council is aware that it could be an issue.

Cllr Brian Larcombe, chairman of the Town Management and Highways Committee, added: “The town council is aware of an emergency road closure in place in Broad Street due to issues with a building.

“We thank the fire service and Dorset Council for their swift action in dealing with the situation and protecting the public.

“We understand the building will be surveyed and we will then know more about the situation.

“We are conscious that the Remembrance Parade is taking place on Sunday, which passes immediately next to this building, and Dorset Council is already liaising with the Royal British Legion about this.”

Scaffolding has been put up and the road remains closed (Image: Bob Speer)

However, Dorset Council believe there will be no impact to the parade after officers inspected the site and were able to maintain pedestrian access along Broad Street.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: "Our Building Control team were called out to Broad Street in Lyme Regis, where part of the outside structure of a building had fallen away.

"The owner of the property quickly had a Structural Engineer visit the site, and a decision was made to erect scaffolding to protect the public and enable closer inspection of the damage.

"We will deploy officers from Building Control, Listed Buildings, and the Highways team to work with the owner’s appointed Structural Engineer to determine the extent of the damage, discuss repairs, and review any ongoing traffic management while the scaffolding is in place.

"In the meantime, pedestrian access has been maintained so we don’t believe the Remembrance Sunday parade will be affected."

Dorset Police were also alerted to the incident but were not needed upon arrival at the scene.

A Dorset Police Spokesperson said: “At 7.48am on Wednesday, Dorset Police received a report from the fire service requesting assistance with an incident in Broad Street, Lyme Regis.

"Officers attended but no further assistance was required. The local authority is now assisting the fire service, who are leading on this incident.”

Bell Cliff restaurant didn't wish to make a comment.