A shocked neighbour thought an “earthquake” was happening after a crane counterweight fell through a couple’s home.

Farhanaz Chowdhury, of Cowper Road, thought a natural disaster was taking place when the jib and counterweight fell 100 feet from a crane and crashed onto the home of her neighbour.

The massive weight plunged into the kitchen where the couple had been only moments earlier.

Mrs Chowdhury said: "All we heard was a massive bang and at first it sounded like an earthquake was happening.

“I could not believe what I saw and what happened, they are very lucky to be alive.”

She added: “I was worried for my daughters because that could have fallen on our home just as easily.”

The couple have been moved out of the home and the incident is currently under investigation.

Mrs Chowdhury added: “We have had our concerns about the crane towering over our homes and now something has happened. We are lucky no one was hurt.”