Contractors were busy demolishing Orion Bingo, on Crescent West, when the front of the building collapsed on to the main road, across the tram tracks, crushing a lamppost and smashing a car.

Traffic chaos ensued as police cordoned off Crescent West and Runnymede
Avenue all day.

One local travel company owner, who called 999 when the building crumbled at 9.15am, said if she hadn't returned to her car after forgetting to shut the window, she could have been killed.

Irene Dean, owner of Dean Travel in Fleetwood, said: "I got out of my minibus to park and was walking past Orion when I realised I'd left my window open. I went back toward my minibus and heard a huge bang.

"Everything just fell down, the scaffolding, bricks, everything. If I hadn't gone back to close my window, I'd have been underneath it. It's a miracle really, someone must be looking out for me!"

Workmen have been carefully demolishing the 1930s building, which is set to be replaced with a 15,500sq ft Aldi store, since May.

Lancashire County Council moved in yesterday to repair the crushed lamp post, while workers stabilised the building and Wyre Council's building inspector checked the building was safe before the roads were reopened.

Michelle Hargreaves, of the Tram Stop Cafe on Crescent West, added: "I was outside the cafe and saw the entire front of the building collapse on to the road, and I saw a workman underneath.

"Luckily he ran away, but I ran towards Orion because I was panicking someone had been killed – I'm just so glad no-one was."

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