Family left ‘devastated’ after house falls following cliff collapse in Kent

Fire and rescue service says tragic collapse was caused by coastal erosion

A family has been left “devastated” after their home which had been teetering on the edge of a sheer drop following a cliff collapse fell on Tuesday.

The house on the picturesque Isle of Sheppey off the Kent coast had been left partially suspended after a “significant cliff collapse” on Friday.

Residents from about 20 properties were forced to evacuate in Eastchurch last week following the incident and many have been unable to return to their homes.

Swale Borough Council said a fresh collapse of the cliff on Tuesday had meant the house, named Cliff Hanger, had now fallen to the ground.

“We are all obviously devastated by the loss of our home,” Emma Tullett, the homeowner, said in a statement reported by the Kent and Sussex Courier.

“As you are aware we left the premises with just the clothes on our backs. My children didn’t even have shoes on.

“Our lives have been turned upside down by the events of the weekend, events that no one could have foreseen happening so quickly and on such a large scale.”

The tragic incident has been attributed to the “devastating impacts of coastal erosion” by Kent Fire and Rescue Service, which took drone pictures on Friday that showed the destruction caused by the collapse.

There are also now fears that there could be further cliff collapses at the site.

“There has been further collapse at the site this morning, and the Cliff Hanger property has now fallen,” a council spokesperson said.

"Neighbouring properties are currently being inspected to assess the impact of this latest fall, and we are urging people to stay away from the area in case of further collapses."

Although there have been no injuries from the incident, 15 people from four households have had to remain in temporary accommodation while the situation is assessed.

Swale Borough Council staff have said they are trying to find the residents somewhere safe to live closer to their property.

Additional reporting by PA