With additional reporting by Emily Lamb

In wake of a building demolition at Beeley Wood Industrial Estate yesterday morning, some residents are shaken – and raising questions about a lack of adequate warning.

A letter was circulated by the company responsible, Metropolitan Demolitions Ltd., to households on Clay Wheels Lane, but many people in the surrounding neighbourhoods first heard of the plans when they heard a sudden explosion at 8am on Sunday 2 March.

“They all got the shock of their lives,” said Khalid Hadrami, an Uber driver who frequently picks up passengers from the Middlewood area.

Mr Hadrami did not hear the explosion himself, but mentioned that several of his passengers had received no warning by letter or email from any local authority.

Kirsty Buckley, director at a nearby Co-Op Funeracare, said: “It scared the life out of me, I’m not going to lie.” She heard three to four quick explosions in quick succession, and at first thought a road accident had happened outside her house.

Neither South Yorkshire Police or South Yorkshire Fire were informed of the demolition plans beforehand, but several eyewitnesses reported seeing police vehicles in the area on Sunday morning, and several Neighbourhood Policing Teams were dispatched to Middlewood following the explosion.

Clive Pashley, a local funeral celebrant, said: “Quite frankly, I think it’s outrageous we weren’t told.”

He expressed concern for elderly residents of Middlewood and Birley Carr – including his mother, who is equipped with a pacemaker, as well as residents of a nearby nursing home.

On Clay Wheels Lane itself, residents were more relaxed – many had received the letter, which warned people: “We recommend that windows are kept closed on the Sunday 2 March and refrain from putting washing out.”

Maurice Alexander, owner of Limestone Self-Storage, witnessed the explosion, describing a crowd of “about 30 people” milling about the exclusion zone, and a brief vibration in the ground following the last of the explosions.

Sheffield City Council reportedly received planning permission for works at Beeley Wood two years ago, but was not informed of the date or any further details.

Cllr Penny Baker, of Stannington ward, said: “We understand that some residents knew and that others didn’t. Councillors and officers are really not happy about what happened yesterday, and are looking at ways to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“The lack of information was appalling at so many different levels.”