[imagesource: Facebook / Aldyth Joubert]

Mere seconds after a woman walked by, the top part of a building’s facade collapsed and came crashing down in Sea Point on Tuesday (October 19).

CCTV cameras that were on the opposite end managed to capture the moment that the bricks came hurtling down.

It is a miracle that nobody was reported injured.

However, quite a few cars in the vicinity were badly damaged.

The reports came in via Facebook:

The post reads in full:

Our control room operators are trained to deal with any emergency situation, not only security incidents.

Today a Smart Detection CCTV operator received an alert from a client’s property in Sea Point indicating that a large wall had collapsed into the parking area.

The operator immediately dispatched the Armed Response Service to proceed to the site so that she could establish what the situation was.

At the same time, additional operators made calls to the various keyholders and began mobilising the various emergency services such as Fire Rescue Services and the SAPS.

It was established that a portion of the building’s facade had collapsed, crushing some vehicles.
Fortunately, there were no injuries on site.

Ward 54 councillor Nicola Jowell also posted about the incident, with a video of the CCTV footage:

The caption on Jowell’s post added more information to the scene:

As you may have seen a top section of a block of flats cladding detached and come tumbling down late yesterday.

In visiting the block and residents it is so evident how miraculous it is that everyone is safe and nobody was injured. Seconds before a woman had walked under the area and a car was about to drive in there.

Well done to the Fire Department and SAPS who were so quick to the scene. And to so many other who rush to help. The city’s building engineer confirmed that the building was still structurally safe as this was the cladding.

A harrowing experience for those who witnessed it, those who were involved in a near miss and the people inside who heard the most terrifying noises and plume of dust.

The exact location of the building has not been disclosed, but this is what it looked like after the bricks had collapsed:

Image: Facebook / Aldyth Joubert

The falling bricks caused substantial damage to the cars parked below:

Image: Facebook / Aldyth Joubert

Image: Facebook / Aldyth Joubert

As Jowell mentioned, although a portion of the wall collapsed, the building’s overall structural integrity is still stable and safe enough.

So I guess that just leaves us hoping that those vehicle owners have a comprehensive insurance plan.

[source:nicolajowell]