A large section of Quinnsborough Road in Bray Co Wicklow has been closed after a dramatic collapse of the top section of a terrace of buildings into the street below.
Tonnes of bricks and masonry fell from the roof level of the three storey buildings at 8.30am, crashing onto the footpath.
Part of the shutter cage of a hairdressers on the terrace was torn away from the front of the building as the masonry fell.
There were no reports of injuries but gardai say it was lucky the incident happened on a quiet bank holiday Monday, otherwise there could have been people walking on the street at the time.
Gardai sealed off the street at Goldsmith Terrace where the concrete and bricks had broken away on two buildings.
Members of Wicklow County Fire Service went to the scene and inspected the damage with the help of a turntable ladder.
It is expected the street will remain closed for today while the remaining roof level structure is inspected to see if it is safe.
A large clean-up operation got underway by the emergency crews.
Gardaà and fire services evacuated residents from the buildings.
The cause of the collapse is unknown.
Local Sinn Féin TD John Brady wrote online; Its a miracle as it appears nobody was injured.
A lot of residents now on the street.
