Econ Reactive was called into action to safely demolish a dangerous structure in South-West London that posed an imminent threat to life. The swift and decisive action was carried out in collaboration with the local council's building control team and the London Fire Brigade (LFB), ensuring the safety of nearby residents and the broader community.
The hazardous structure, located near a residential area, was identified as an urgent risk after a partial collapse overnight, causing serious structural instability. As a result, nearby flats were evacuated on safety grounds, with residents temporarily relocated while work on the site progressed. The building was deemed so unsafe that it posed an immediate danger to both the people living in the area and anyone in close proximity.
Econ Group’s team mobilized immediately, with a full response coordinated across their operations. The company worked closely with the council’s building control department to ensure that demolition procedures were executed according to the highest safety standards. Expert engineers, demolition specialists, and site safety personnel were all deployed to assess, plan, and execute the demolition in the most efficient and controlled manner possible.
"We understand the serious nature of the situation and acted quickly to eliminate the threat to public safety. Our team worked hand in hand with the local authorities to ensure that all safety protocols were met and that the demolition was carried out with minimal disruption to the surrounding area," said Liam Moore, Head of Operations.
As a precautionary measure, all residents from surrounding flats were evacuated by the local council, which also provided alternative accommodation during the demolition work. The evacuation was carried out smoothly, with no injuries or incidents reported. The council confirmed that they would continue to monitor the safety of the area until the hazardous structure was fully removed and the site deemed secure.
"We are extremely grateful for the prompt response from Econ Group and the support of our building control team," said the local dangerous structures representative. "Their swift action not only prevented a potentially disastrous situation but also ensured the safety of local residents. The collaboration between all parties has been exemplary."
The demolition was successfully completed. The site was cleared, with debris removed and the area secured for future redevelopment. The building control team will now conduct a thorough inspection to ensure the site meets all safety regulations before any new construction can begin.
Econ Group's full response to this dangerous structure showcases their ability to handle high-risk demolition projects with the utmost care and professionalism. The company emphasised that safety is their top priority, and they remain committed to ensuring that similar incidents are resolved as quickly and safely as possible.
“We were impressed with the approach used by you operation team to carry out the works both professional and diligently. Econ were very accommodating to meet our needs from the initial presentations prepared on strategy to mitigate risks and throughout execution of the works and keeping us fully informed and giving us the confidence we needed. The approach of Econ Site supervisors and visiting managers through to operatives on site was always of a high standard and good-natured and we are pleased to give credit where it is due. On site initiatives by the team from demonstrations /videos of emergency procedures when working in asbestos enclosures and working with consistent site uniforms contributed to the site achieving a Kier ‘Blue’ for best practice and working above standards. This was an excellent example of collaborative working and a joint approach to promptly overcome some of the challenges with asbestos and how best to deal with this along with working near challenging neighbours’ properties, the school and the church.”
