Boy falls 15ft through skylight in derelict Debenhams

A teenage boy was has been taken to hospital after falling through a skylight at a derelict building in Plymouth.

Emergency services were called to the scene at the disused Debenhams store on Royal Parade at 5.35pm yesterday (Thursday, February 19).

It is understood that the 14-year-old boy was climbing on or around the building when he plummeted approximately 15ft to the third floor.

Devon and Cornwall Police said he sustained multiple injuries, none of which are described as life-changing or life-threatening, but was taken to Derriford Hospital.

The incident resulted in a warning about the dangers of climbing around empty or derelict buildings as officers urge children “not to be tempted by this dangerous pastime”.

So-called ‘urban explorers’ have filmed content inside the building, posted on Facebook and YouTube, but police warn they will take a ‘robust approach towards any individuals found in derelict buildings’.

What has police said?

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘Police were called by ambulance at 5.35pm on Thursday, February 19 following reports that a teenage boy had fallen through the roof of a disused store in Plymouth.

‘The 14-year-old from Plymouth fell through a skylight at the now-closed Debenhams on Royal Parade.

‘He sustained multiple injuries, none of which are described as life-changing or life-threatening, and he was taken to Derriford Hospital.

‘Ambulance and the fire service attended the incident.’

Inspector Greg Bridgett added: ‘There are clear dangers and safety concerns associated with climbing on or around empty or derelict locations.

‘The former store has been disused for some time and is now extremely hazardous in areas. We would urge children not to be tempted by this dangerous pastime.

‘We will take a robust approach towards any individuals found in derelict buildings and have been working with Plymouth City Council and building owners to tackle any issues around insecure properties.’

Crews from South Western Ambulance Service Trust NHS Foundation (SWASFT) also attended the scene and confirmed one person was taken to hospital following the incident.

A spokesperson for SWASFT said: ‘We sent one double-crewed land ambulance to the scene and conveyed one patient by land ambulance to Derriford Hospital.’

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We were called at 5.15pm to Debenhams after reports that a boy had fallen approx. 15 feet through a skylight to the third floor.

‘We sent three appliances and an aerial ladder platform. We searched the building and located the casualty. He was taken to hospital by land ambulance.’

The building has been vacant since Debenhams shut its entire portfolio of more than 90 UK stores in 2021, with about 12,000 workers losing their jobs and the door closing on more than 200 years of trade on the high street.

Just before Christmas the empty store was labelled a ‘death trap’, with one ranger at Plymouth Against Retail Crime telling PlymouthLive that intruders had even been on the roof and shimmying along ledges.

At the time police said the former store, sandwiched between New George Street and Royal Parade, is dangerous and attracting antisocial behaviour.

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