The partial collapse of a building on North Main Street in the city centre yesterday led to the street being closed to traffic and a portion of the pavement being barricaded off for public safety.

The back of the long-vacant building, located toward the Castle Street and Liberty Street end of North Main Street, began to collapse between 5pm and 6pm yesterday.

Two crews of the Cork City Fire Brigade attended the scene, to assist Cork City Council Building Control in making the surrounding area safe.

“The street has been closed to traffic,” Gerry Myers, third officer with Cork City Fire Service told The Echo.

“It could be closed for much of Friday.

“Building Control will need to undertake an assessment of the damage and the building will have to be made safe.”

The closure of the street was not expected to cause any major traffic problems.

It is understood the building in question has been unused for many years.