No one injured as old building collapses in city centre

The first floor of an old, uninhabited building in central Palma collapsed yesterday morning, but nobody was injured, according to the 112 emergency centre and the Palma council. The building was in Calle Protectora 2 (formerly number 9), at the top of the up market Avenida Jaime III. Council sources said that it was due for demolition. The collapse of the building, which did not affect the outer walls, alarmed neighbours, who called the emergency service. One neighbour said that people were often seen entering the ruined building but Local Police later confirmed that it had been empty when it collapsed. Police and firemen have shored up the walls and blocked all the entrances. Extensive building work is going on in Calle Protectora, where several old buildings have already been demolished and are being replaced by luxury flats.