Residents were evacuated from their homes after a lorry collided with a property yesterday afternoon.

Fire crews were called to Second Avenue, Plaistow, after a crane on the back of a lorry, hit scaffolding being used to build an extension to a house at about 2.15pm.

According to London Fire Service, the incident left the lorry tilted in a precarious position.

Station manager Steve Smith who was at the scene said: “Crews worked quickly to make the area safe and evacuated three neighbouring properties as a precaution. Thankfully no-one was in the house at the time it was hit by the lorry and the builders working on the extension escaped without serious injury.

“Firefighters then covered neighbouring cars and properties with sheeting to protect them from any possible further damage. This was a protracted incident but thanks to careful preparation work it was resolved successfully without any further damage to surrounding homes or any injuries to the public.”

The lorry driver was treated on the scene by London Ambulance Service for whiplash.

Contractors were brought in to stabilize and recover the lorry and the incident was left with Newham Council and the scaffolding company.

Ten firefighters dealt with the incident by about 8.10pm.