Darwen homes damaged and road closed as mini-tornado strikes (From This Is Lancashire)

Darwen homes damaged and road closed as mini-tornado strikes

9:50pm Tuesday 29th November 2011 in Leisure By Nafeesa Shan, Reporter

CORDON The damaged houses in Blackburn Road, Darwen

A ‘MINI tornado’ swept through Darwen this afternoon forcing the closure of the main road through the town.

Blustery winds blew off around 100 roof tiles from three terraced houses in Blackburn Road, Darwen, according to onlookers.

Slates hit moving cars, smashed windows and left debris in the road between Anchor Road and Birch Hall Avenue around 2pm.

The owner of nearby Anchor MOT and Anchor Service Station, said that the tiles were seen ‘hovering’ before they smashed 10 windows at his premises.

Weather forecasters confirmed that the gusty conditions could lead to small tornadoes in isolated places.

The carnage left in the wake of the mini tornado resulted in Blackburn Road being closed for more than two-and-a-half hours while the small stretch of road was cleared of debris and loose tiles were taken down to ensure the area was safe.

Motorists were advised to travel via Eccleshill between 12.20pm and 5pm while firefighters and council staff cleared the scene.

Karl McKenna, owner of the Anchor MOT and Anchor Service Station, Darwen, said: “The wind was very powerful, if I hadn’t had the sign I wouldn’t be standing here now.

"All the slates lifted off the roof and came at us.

“We went to bring the sign in and saw tiles hovering around.

"The next thing the slates went through the windows and we were holding the sign to protect ourselves.

“The slates were coming off and hitting cars. It was like being in a war zone.”

Police received a number of reports about the incident.

They then contacted the council to clear the area for traffic.

The tornado came as part of a storm that hit East Lancashire.

The Met Office predicts that the wet and windy weather is set to continue but gusts are unlikely to reach today's speeds.