Town centre building collapses

They were left unhurt but shocked and homeless as a single-storey shop extension behind century-old terraced buildings gave way.

They were jolted from their sleep shortly after 1.15am on Wednesday morning as tons of brick and concrete tumbled to the ground with a deafening roar.

The St Leonards Road block forms part of the run-down area for which English Heritage gave a 300,000 grant only a month ago.

Firefighters and police were quickly backed by the Hastings-based Fire Victim Support Unit at the scene.

On Wednesday, at the request of the Observer after speaking to the homeless victims, Rother building control officer Bob Scrivener arranged for a housing needs officer from the council's community services department to assess the victims' needs.

Later, Rother chief executive Derek Stevens said: "Our building control officer was there helping in the early hours. I have been talking to our housing people. They have been talking to the people involved and are giving them all the help and advice they need.

"They are clearly in priority housing need and will be given every assistance."