THE street in Burnley into which part of a building collapsed on Saturday will remain closed, but demolition workers will start making the site safe today.

Part of gable end overlooking Cow Lane fell into the street on Saturday as pedestrians walked by.

Bricks, rubble and mortar was left strewn across the street as police officers closed the road over fears of further collapses.

Council engineers conducted an investigation on Saturday afternoon. A second survey was conducted yesterday and the council has met with the building's owners.

If the owners cannot be found in time and repair work to make the building safe needs to be carried out, then the work will be completed by the council and a bill sent to the landlords.

Tenants of the building have been prevented from entering parts of the structure until it is made completely safe.

Representatives of the council's Buildings Inspectorate said yesterday that further collapse could not be ruled out and that it was in the public interest for the building and Cow Lane to remain closed.

After examining the roof of the building yesterday council workers have agreed to construct a scaffold which they hope will prevent further falls from the building.

Adrian Hughes, of the Buildings Inspectorate, was in charge of the operation yesterday. He oversaw the further removal of a section of wall which was considered dangerous and met with owners to discuss the condition of the roof.

He said: "The roof condition is very poor. It may need completed removal of a top section and a new roof building further down."

Mr Hughes revealed that the opposite end of the building is also causing concern as brickwork is leaning out.

An architect has been consulted to prepare plans for repairs.

"The far side is going to be difficult to put right, but does not look over any road."

If the building is made safe by scaffolders today, Cow Lane will be re-opened.