Teetering on the brink: Incredible picture shows home ‘hanging’ over cliff edge after large collapse overnight causes firefighters to evacuate 20 homes in Kent
- People in 20 properties were swiftly evacuated from Surf Crescent in Eastchurch
- Cliff erosion sparked immediate fears that homes could fall into the sea
- A local resident described one home as ‘hanging’ off the edge of the cliffside
- Those evacuated were given shelter overnight at a nearby community centre
Groups of residents on the Isle of Sheppey had to be evacuated from their homes after a cliff suddenly collapsed on Friday night, sparking fears of properties crashing down into the sea.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service helped remove people from 20 homes following the ‘significant cliff collapse’ at the picturesque coastal retreat of Surf Cresent in Eastchurch just before 10pm.
Local residents have reportedly been left stressed by the situation, with one nearby tenant telling the BBC that one building was left ‘hanging’ precariously over the edge of the cliffside.
Residents in Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey had to be evacuated from their homes after a cliff suddenly collapsed on Friday
One distressed resident described one of the properties ‘hanging’ off the edge of the cliffside
A fire service spokesman said: ‘Firefighters arrived at the scene to find a large section of the cliff edge had fallen away, leaving a number of properties at potential risk.
‘Members of the public have been asked to stay away from the area due to the direct danger of further cliff collapse.’
Kent Police and the local coastguard also attended the scene, with large parts of the beach being completely shut off in the aftermath.
The surrounding area has been closed by local authorities, with footpaths now blocked off and large parts of the beach below inaccessible
A Google map view shows how close the residential area, known as Surf Cresent, sits to the sea below the cliffs
Footpaths in the general area have also been cordoned off, as local services bid to start a safety and clean up operation.
There were no injuries and those evacuated from their homes were given shelter overnight at New Road Residents Community Centre.
Swale Borough Council has since returned most of the residents to their homes – though 13 people from two households have not yet been able to go back and are still awaiting further action.