POLICE have closed off several roads and evacuated 64 homes in Colchester after the roof of a flats complex was blown off by strong winds.

St Andrew's Avenue has been taped off after the roof came off a block of flats in Bentleigh Court, off Greenstead Road.

Emergency services are at the scene working to make the area safe.

A spokesman got Essex Police said: "Police are evacuating 64 homes following concerns that a building is structural unsafe in Greenstead Road, Colchester.

"We received calls at around 12.50pm today, Thursday, February 23, that a building could collapse.

"We have closed surrounding roads, including the Avenue of Remembrance, to both traffic and pedestrians. The closures will cause significant disruption to traffic.

"We are working closely with the local authority and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. No one has been injured and the incident is ongoing."

A spokesman for the fire service said: "Colchester crews were called to a block of flats in Greenstead Road, Colchester, after a large section of flat roof was removed by the wind.

"Firefighters also reported that brickwork was unstable.

"64 homes were evacuated and surrounding roads were closed. 

"Crews assisted in making the scene safe and left the incident in the care of the Police at 2.41pm."

Halstead Gazette:

More to follow.