UPDATE - FRIDAY

DEMOLITION experts at the Bell Hotel have destroyed what was left of the historic building.

The demolition began this morning and was finished early this afternoon.

Residents surrounded the site throughout the morning to have a final glimpse at the hotel before there is nothing left.

Those who have lived in Leigh their whole life and deem the site historic reminisced about the landmark as they watched it being slowly knocked down.

THURSDAY

A LANDMARK hotel suffered further damage after vibrations from a passing train caused more of the building to collapse.

The roof of the Bell Hotel, in Leigh, caved in earlier this week as workmen continued renovating the long-empty landmark building and turning it into flats.

Leigh Hill has remained closed since the back of the former hotel collapsed on Tuesday afternoon.

Workmen had been due to demolish the remaining part of the Bell Hotel today, but more of the unstable building crashed to the ground at about 1pm yesterday.

As the Echo went to print, Southend Council building control officers were assessing the possibility of demolishing the landmark overnight.

Fears were raised about the safety of the remaining structure following the latest collapse.

Carl Connors, a carpenter, 58, of Woodfield Road, Leigh, said a heavy loaded train had passed the building just moments before part of it fell down.

He said: “A huge train with tankers went past and a few minutes later the back completely went. We saw some pigeons and then a huge cloud of dust. It made a huge noise.

“First we heard some bricks go and a big crack, then saw the pigeons come over and then it started crumbling. Then we thought it’s going to go, and we left the area."

Video courtesy of Rick Dawson

Lewis Walter, 60, of Grange Road, Leigh, also witnessed the building collapse.

He added: ”A goods train came along, then there was a massive crack and it just went. I had come down to have a look to see how bad it really was.”

A local resident, who wished not to be named, said she screamed when she saw the building crumbling before her.

She said: “I heard a crumble. Three birds came off the building then a few seconds later it happened. Luckily there was no one inside.

“It was so loud, I screamed. I thought the whole thing was going to come down. It’s very dangerous.”

Before the collapse, workmen had been renovating the hotel and constructing three blocks at Bell Sands, with five apartments available for between £249,995 and £899,995.

The redevelopment finally got underway in October 2014 after nine years of planning issues for developers Robin Levy and son Ben.

The hotel was planned to form one part of the multi-million pound Bell Sands flats development.

Southend Council spokesman Michael Sargood said: "Due to the further collapse of the building control officers are advising the demolition as soon as possible. It could happen overnight."

The builders, Hutton Construction, refused to comment.

Owner Ben Levy was not available when contacted by the Echo.