Two people have been taken to hospital after scaffolding fell into a south London high road.
Firefighters confirmed they were called to reports that people had been trapped by the collapsed scaffolding.
Eyewitnesses said scaffolding could be seen on Streatham High Road, next to the Holland Tringham, a JD Wetherspoons pub. There appeared to be planks of wood, white tarpaulin sheets and metal poles scattered in the road.
Police have established a cordon, and paramedics and firefighters were both on the scene.
Firefighters are at the scene of the fallen scaffold in Streatham High Road
The Standard
Two people were taken away by ambulance, the London Ambulance Service has confirmed. Their injuries are understood not to be serious.
The High Road is closed in both directions, Transport for London said, creating heavy traffic tailbacks. Buses have been seen queuing to move in the direction of Mitcham and Tooting.
TfL said the number 12 bus was on diversion on Sunday afternoon as a result of the road closure.
The scaffolding was seen lying in the road at about 1.30pm on Sunday. Firefighters told The Standard that the road could be closed for hours as a result of the incident.
They also said engineers were on route to secure the remaining scaffolding on the roof.
The fallen scaffolding has caused part of Streatham High Road to be closed
The Standard
.jpeg?quality=75&auto=webp&width=960)
Firefighters work inside the cordon to make the fallen scaffolding safe
The Standard
An eyewitness said the building the scaffolding fell from has been under construction for the past two years. It had formerly been a bar named Pratts and Pain.
“Firefighters said it was one big gust of wind that took the scaffolding down,” the eyewitness said.
A London Fire Brigade spokeswoman said: “Firefighters are responding to an incident involving collapsed scaffolding on High Road, Streatham.
“Two people were trapped under the scaffolding and rescued before the brigade arrived. Both people were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service.
Tailbacks have been seen on Streatham High Road
The Standard
“The brigade's control officers received the first of five calls at 1.31pm and mobilised crews from Tooting, Lewisham, West Norwood and surrounding fire stations to the scene.”
A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “We were called at 1.30pm on Sunday, October 25, to reports of an incident on Streatham High Road.
“We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, an incident response officer and paramedics from our hazardous area response team to the scene.
“We treated two patients at the scene and took both of them to a hospital.”
The Met Office said London could expect wind speeds of up to 38mph on Sunday. Highgate Woods in north London was closed on Sunday by operator City of London due to concerns over high winds.