Grosvenor Square building collapse leaves man dead Published duration 14 April 2014

image copyright Stephen Ford image caption The workman was pronounced dead at the scene

A man working on a construction site in central London has died after a building partially collapsed.

The man, thought to be in his early 30s, died at the site, a former US naval building in Grosvenor Square, after the collapse at 15:45 BST.

At least one other person has been treated for minor injuries.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed one line of inquiry was that the man fell after a floor in the six-storey building gave way.

A mini-digger on the second floor fell to the floor below, as did the two workmen, a spokesman from London Fire Brigade said.

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said the second man was taken to University College Hospital.

The service said it sent three ambulance crews, three single responders in cars, a hazardous area response team, the air ambulance and two officers.

image caption About 20 to 30 construction workers gathered outside the site

image copyright Stephen Ford image caption One other worker was injured in the incident

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

The site, which is a former US naval headquarters and yards from the US Embassy, is being redeveloped into residential accommodation as part of a £250m renovation.

It was originally built as flats in the 1930s and has been vacant since 2007.

The building was bought by the Abu Dhabi Investment Corporation and developer Finchatton in April 2013 from a consortium headed by entrepreneur Richard Caring, who owns London venues including the Ivy, Scott's and Annabel's.

A group of at least 20 construction workers were gathered in the centre of the square, being spoken to by a manager.

Declan Sherry, chief executive of site contractor McGee, said it was liaising with workers' families.

"We cannot, therefore, release any further details at this time," he said.

image caption The building site on North Audley Street partially collapsed

image copyright Blenheim Bishop Land & Investments image caption The former US naval headquarters is being redeveloped into residential accommodation

Police officers have asked people to avoid the area.

Receptionist Salima Cherrad, 26, said she saw construction workers emerging from a scaffolding-clad building.

She said: "We saw a helicopter here in Grosvenor Square and we assumed it was something that happened with the guys and the scaffolding.

"There were lots of them who came out of the building at the same time and they were all gathering at one spot in the square."