There was “traffic chaos” in a busy high street as firefighters removed crumbling masonry from a building.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called to 34 Topsfield Parade in Crouch End last Thursday (June 29) to reports that a window sill was in a “precarious position” above a shop.

A 25-metre cordon and fire engine blocked the road while fire crews removed the masonry from the third and fourth floor of the building above W Nodes Funeral Services.

It took more than two hours for firefighters to leave the scene, which was declared safe shortly before 3.30pm.

Former Crouch End councillor David Winskill said the callout caused traffic chaos and that it was lucky that an ambulance did not have to attend.

He added that most of the shopping parades in the area are more than 140 years old and that without action, potential masonry falls could become more frequent.

Haringey Council confirmed that they wrote to building owners in Crouch End to remind them of their legal duty to keep their properties safe in the summer of 2021.

Cllr Luke Cawley-Harrison, the Liberal Democrat opposition leader at Haringey Council, said: "Falling masonry due to disrepair has long been an issue in Crouch End town centre and poses a very real risk to the public. 

"The council takes the matter very seriously and working with myself, sent notices to all building owners asking them to evidence their buildings were safe with a condition survey, but the response rate was poor.

“I would implore those that have yet to do so to follow the council's request and evidence their buildings are safe and well maintained, to avoid the council having to use its powers to issue dangerous structure notices, and more importantly, to prevent the very real risk of passers by being seriously injured or worse by masonry falling from crumbling buildings."

A council spokesperson urged owners and leaseholders of these types of building “to have regular inspections to check for loose stonework or defects” and to get a qualified person to check the condition of the building.

Ham and High contacted W Nodes Funeral Services about the incident and was told that a property management company is responsible for maintaining the building. 

Morgan Management did not respond to a request for comment.