Firefighters clear debris after building collapse

A safety cordon remains in place after a building partially collapsed on the Shankill Road in Belfast.

Much of the facade of the two-storey shopfront has fallen and a pile of rubble spilled on to the pavement during the incident on Monday morning.

Firefighters were called just before 08:00 BST and they worked to clear the debris to make the area safe.

The road is closed at the junctions of Tennent Street and Brookmount Street and some neighbouring businesses cannot access their premises.

Police officers are assisting with road closures and motorists have been advised to avoid the area.

Fire crews left the scene just before 11:00, with building control experts taking over.

Some neighbouring businesses have been affected by the collapse, including a family-run florist shop which has been operating in the area for decades.

The Alexandra Florist Ltd is located in a terrace just two doors away from the partially-collapsed building.

Megan Ingram told BBC News NI the shop is owned by her father and it is the family's "bread and butter".

She said staff were not in the shop when the incident happened but firefighters later helped them to carry some bouquets of flowers out of their premises.

They are currently not allowed to re-enter the building due to safety concerns so they are trying to work from home, taking new orders by phone.

Ingram said they are now waiting to hear if the remainder of the damaged building will be demolished in order to make the area secure.