House that had been left teetering over edge after cliff collapse falls
A family home that had been teetering on the edge after a cliff collapse has now fallen.
The house on the picturesque Isle of Sheppey had been left partially suspended over a sheer drop after a “significant cliff collapse” late on Friday.
Residents from 20 properties in Eastchurch had to be evacuated by firefighters and many have been unable to return to their homes.
We’ve fenced off an area at the top of a collapsing cliff with “danger keep out” signs.To be clear, this means that it’s unsafe and you shouldn’t go in there.People should not be breaching the safety cordon in Eastchurch to take pictures or film videos to post on social media. pic.twitter.com/LOKQGpoorS
— SwaleBoroughCouncil (@SwaleCouncil) June 2, 2020
Dramatic drone pictures taken by Kent Fire and Rescue Service after the initial collapse showed the sheer destruction caused, including an orange car lying at the bottom of a ravine.
But now following a fresh collapse on Tuesday a house, named Cliff Hanger, has now fallen, local authority Swale Borough Council said.
The tragedy has been attributed to the “devastating impacts of coastal erosion” by the fire service.
There are fears that there could be further cliff collapses at the site.
A council spokesman said: “There has been further collapse at the site this morning, and the Cliff Hanger property has now fallen.
“Neighbouring properties are currently being inspected to assess the impact of this latest fall, and we are urging people to stay away from the area in case of further collapses.”
Fifteen people from four households remain in temporary accommodation while the incident goes on.
Swale Borough Council staff are trying to find them somewhere safe to live closer to their property.
