A family have been left temporarily homeless after their property collapsed while builders were working on the house next door.
Emergency services were called to Claremont Road in Rugby, Warks., after part of the terraced property came down on Tuesday evening (10/9).
The gable end of the house then completely caved in at around 2am this morning leaving two rooms fully exposed and debris all over the street.
The family, who lives there with their children, were away at the time and fortunately nobody was injured. They have been placed in a hotel while a new property is found.
Two of the children’s bedrooms and the kitchen were destroyed as a result of the collapse and their possessions were left strewn across the road.
Residents said it "sounded like a bomb going off" when the shocking incident occurred in in the early hours of the morning
Neighbour Laura Evans, 33, said: "I just heard this almighty bang, like a bomb going off and could see dust rising into the air. It was pretty scary."
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service and Warwickshire Police attended the scene to secure the area and put road closures in place.
Structural engineers have also attended to examine the property after Rugby Borough Council launched an investigation.
One family member, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was a shocking experience and no one is accepting liability.
"Our landlord is confused what is covered by his building insurance and the contractor doesn't want to accept liability."
A fundraising page has been launched for the family by a friend which has so far raised £320.
The friend of the family wrote: "The children only have their uniforms and school bag with them.
"Imagine their shock coming from home from school seeing their house in ruins.
"They are renting and do not have content insurance, not many people who rent think of this.
"Araial and Mel are close friends and have at some point they have helped us when we are in need.
"I always say that one of their greatest trait is to make everyone they come across feel that they are friends and family.
"I personally know them for half of my life and consider them as my extended family.
"Knowing them, I am certain their faith in our God will see them through this crisis in their lives.
"Let us rally support for them and their family at a time of their greatest need. God bless you all and thank you for your generosity."
A spokesman for Rugby Borough Council said: “Officers from Warwick Building Control arrived on site at a property in Claremont Road at around 7pm yesterday after receiving a report a two-storey extension on a terraced property had collapsed.
“Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Warwickshire Police attended the scene. The area was secured and a partial road closure put in place
“At 2am this morning, the gable end of the property collapsed. The property was empty throughout and nobody was injured.
“Officers from Warwick Building Control have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse and have a site meeting with a structural engineer this morning to assess the property.”
Claremont Road in Rugby, Warks., is currently closed between Wells Street and Tom Brown Street.
A spokesperson for Warwickshire County Council said: “We can confirm that the only road closure currently in place is that of Claremont Road, between the junction of Wells Street and Tom Brown Street.”
“At this time we are unable to confirm the length of the closure. We will however be liaising with building control officers until such time the property is deemed safe.
“In addition to the above, we are also arranging additional Traffic Management including heras fencing to improve the cordon around the collapse.”
A spokesperson for Warwickshire Police spokesperson confirmed they attended the scene but added: "We don't believe there was anything suspicious about the incident."
