A five-storey building under construction in Ilford collapsed yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.

The collapse of the City Gates Christian Centre in Clements Road came just a week after the structure was topped out. The £7.5m community centre was scheduled for completion in autumn 2012.

Contractor Ashe said that the collapse occurred at 4.30pm, after all site operations had finished for the day. "Following extensive searches of the building site and surrounding areas the emergency services have confirmed that no site workers or members of the public have been injured as a result of the partial collapse," the company said.

"We are extremely grateful to the emergency services, the local authority and other statutory bodies for their response to this incident. A press release will be issued once the facts are known."

According to a local newspaper report, internal block work on the first and second floors had been taking place this week, along with roof weathering.

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