Metal poles and hoarding collapsed from around the library on Stoke Newington Church Street around 7.45am today (April 16), landing on a car.
While the driver was unhurt, those who spoke to the Hackney Gazette said it could have been much worse.
Emrah Alagoz, of The Parlour bistro, said: “They were lucky this time. But next time, imagine if school was on and it happened then.
“What would happen if it was on Saturday? You know how many people pass on Saturdays here? It’s packed. People would die here.”
His brother, Ali, saw the structure fall onto a moving car as he went to open the shop in the morning.
He said: “Some of the neighbours, we tried to get him up but he was okay to come out himself.
“He was slightly shocked but he just walked out – he was okay.
“It happened right in front of my eyes. Luckily no one’s injured.”
Ibrahim, of Woody’s Local across the road, said: “There was one car staying underneath and they [shopkeepers] took him out. But he was okay. There is no massive injury.
“It could have been so much worse. We are lucky there was no school today due to Easter.
“Usually a lot of people are in the road at this time. So lucky.”
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “We were called at 0743 today to a report of scaffolding that had collapsed onto a road, including onto a vehicle, on Stoke Newington Church Street.
“It was reported that a man was potentially trapped inside the vehicle but firefighters discovered upon arrival that he had been able to leave his vehicle safely.
“He was assessed at the scene by firefighters but was uninjured.
“There were no reports of any other injures.
“Some local residents have been evacuated as a precaution and a cordon remains in place with a road closure near the junction of Albion Road.
“Two fire engines from Stoke Newington and Holloway fire stations attended the scene alongside a fire rescue unit from Bethnal Green fire station.”
