Scene in Portugal Street where a building under demolition in Royal Courts of Justice complex has collapsed with its scaffolding. Image: @LAS_TacAdvisor

The London Fire Brigade has attended the collapse of part of a building under demolition in the Aldwych area.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated including staff and students from the library of the nearby London School of Economics.

People nearby heard a huge crashing sound as part of the building pancaked sending up clouds of dust at the junction of Serle Street and Portugal Street.

It’s understood the building is part of the Royal Courts of Justice complex.

A 56 year old man believed to be working on the site has been treated at the scene for injury to his head and hip and has been taken to a trauma centre hospital accompanied by London Air Ambulance medics.

His condition is described as serious.

The Met Police say the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

Building collapse in Portugal Street. One man injured. Image: @LondonFire

The London Fire Brigade in a latest incident briefing said the six storey building is currently under demolition and part of the building’s structure, as well as the scaffolding surrounding it, had collapsed.

Around 100 people were evacuated from the site and a further 100 people were evacuated from neighbouring properties as a precaution.

Station Manager John Snelgrove who was at the scene said:

When the first crews arrived they found the building, which was under refurbishment had collapsed between the fifth and second floors.

Firefighters gave first aid to an injured man on site until ambulance crews arrived and also helped police put safety cordons in place and to evacuate people from the immediate area.

The Brigade was called at 4.14 pm and responsibility for the incident was handed over to the police at 5.17 pm.

Two fire engines from Soho, three fire rescue units from East Ham, Edmonton and Heston and around 30 firefighters and officers have been attending incident.

Eye witness Murray Robertson  @muzrobertson has tweeted:

Was having a quiet pint down the road when this metallic roar drowned all out. Looks like the roof caved in.

London Air Ambulance responded with an advanced trauma team that landed in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.