A CAR was buried under rubble as a roof collapsed at a block of flats in Boscombe on Thursday evening.

Local builders helped clear debris away and make the area safe after the incident at Amees Court, 5-9 Southcote Road.

An Audi was crushed under the weight of the rubble, which toppled into a car park as workers returned to their homes during the evening.

A spokesperson from the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said officials were called to reports of a "dangerous structure" at the block.

"One crew from Springbourne was called out at 6.26pm on Thursdaym February 20 to reports of a dangerous structure in Southcote Road, Bournemouth," the official said.

"Firefighters requested building control attend the incident as the ceiling of a covered car park had collapsed.

"Supported by local builders, firefighters made the area safe and cleared the collapse."

Firefighters were able to leave the scene at 7.25pm. They were back at the station ready for more work at 7.30pm, the spokesperson said.

Yesterday, the gates to the car park remained locked up.

The rubble and the Audi have been taped off by a yellow cordon to keep people away.

The rest of the car park remains open to residents.

The parking area is the main route into the building, with residents seen crossing it to get into their flats yesterday morning.

However, a resident living near the block said: "There was quite a bit of noise – it was a real shock.

"Someone's lost their car in there. The roof just fell in on top of it.

"I'd say the car's been crushed altogether.

"It's scary to think about, really.

"It could have been very different if someone had been parking their car when the roof came down."

Another neighbour walking past the scene said: "There were a lot of firefighters outside.

"I hadn't realised what had happened – I'd just assumed there'd been a fire alarm.

"It's a horrible thought that the roof just came down."