Workers flee just in time, with firefighters called to scene after vehicles pile up at Milton Keynes showroom

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Staff at an Audi dealership in Milton Keynes escaped unhurt on Monday when about 20 cars plunged through the ceiling over a workshop.

Brand new cars tumbled on top of each other as a third of the 2,000 sq metre roof of Milton Keynes Audi gave way at about 12.20pm.

Firefighters sped to the scene and turned off gas and electricity connections while engineers propped up what remained of the roof. Pictures showed shiny luxury cars scattered amid the rubble.

Four Counties News (@Heart4CNews) #HeartNews View INSIDE MK Audi showroom where the roof has partially collapsed. No injuries. #Audi #MiltonKeynes pic.twitter.com/v2Fw5i82mx

Members of staff were still answering phones at the dealership at about 5.30pm. They said they were not allowed to comment on the situation.

The portion of roof which collapsed covered the dealership’s workshop. Workers managed to run away before the ceiling gave way.

“There was a bang, at which point one of the managers set off the fire alarm,” said Jason Cranswick, commercial director of Jardine Motors Group, the dealership’s parent company. “It was after everybody was evacuated that the collapse occurred.”



Cranswick said the portion of the roof which collapsed, at the back of the building, had been built as a multi-storey car park.

Jardine Motors said it was investigating the cause of the collapse and the extent of the damage. “All customers directly affected by this incident will be contacted in person,” it said.

Jardine Motors Group (@jardinemotorsuk) @Bucksfire Milton Keynes Audi temporarily closed due to onsite emergency. Click here for latest updates http://t.co/t2kvfnyARa

Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes fire and rescue said 20 cars had fallen through the roof and the building had now been left with the occupier. A spokesman earlier told the Milton Keynes Citizen that about were 10 involved.

“It is a significant structural collapse, about a third of the 200m by 100m roof, which we believe is used to store cars, has collapsed into the ground floor and about 10 cars are involved,” the spokesman said. “Everyone has been accounted for and there are no injuries. Firefighters have been making the scene safe and gas and electricity has been isolated.”

Milton Keynes council building control inspectors are investigating the collapse.