Browse Sections

• Education
• Business
• Blog
• Special reports

Shop got the shakes after owner's DIY

1/ 7/2002

VIDEO shop owner Shafqat Siddique created his own disaster movie when he tried a spot of DIY.

After knocking down a wall his Whitworth Road shop in Rochdale begin to "bulge and shake". The road had to be closed and nearby houses and business were evacuated.

Council building chiefs said Mr Siddique was lucky to escape with his life…and they were amazed the building did not collapse completely. Building Control Officer Mick Nuttall said: "The building could have collapsed on to pedestrians or cars and killed many. The owner has been very lucky."

The police had immediately closed Whitworth Road between the Common and Grassmere Street and the traffic was diverted round the scene. Protective fencing was erected around Mr Siddique's shop, A & B Videos, part of which will probably have to be demolished. Council workers spent most of the week trying to make the rest of the building, which is part of a small terrace, safe.

Neighbours said Mr Siddique, who only took over the business a month ago, was carrying out improvements to turn the upstairs into living quarters. He had not been available for comment.

Mr Nuttall said: "The owner has now agreed to allow a contractor to repair the damage but it is clear that a certain amount of the building will have to be demolished. I would like to issue a warning to anyone thinking about carrying out their own improvements.

"Even the removal of just a few bricks or a window frame, can cause the structure of a house to collapse if you don't know what you are doing."

Asif Khan aged 18 who lives next door with his family said he heard a "big bang" in the early hours of Tuesday morning and was later told to leave the house by the police.

He said: "My sister has just had an operation and can hardly walk so it was a difficult time for us to move." His mum Tasweer Begum said: "It is worrying. We are going to have to stay with family until things are sorted out."