Owners of old buildings are being urged to check for defects after pieces of concrete fell four storeys on to a high street pavement.

Firefighters cordoned off part of Muswell Hill Broadway on Sunday (December 3) after concrete fell from a building at around 4.15pm.

Crews found small pieces of concrete had fallen from the top floor of a four-storey building above Beam café.

A staff member at the family-run coffee shop said they called London Fire Brigade after being alerted by a customer about falling masonry.

They said: "A customer told me he saw a little piece of concrete falling from the building upstairs. I called the fire brigade straight away and made sure nothing would happen to people passing by or to our customers."

Both the cafe worker and Muswell Hill Residents Association said falls often happen due to changes in the weather.

"When it rains it happens. It's a question of maintaining it," they said.

The residents association posted a video on social media site Instagram showing firefighters on a hydraulic platform knocking away pieces of decorative masonry.

"No one was hurt but it's only a matter of time as this is an ongoing problem every year when the weather changes," they said.

A fire brigade spokesperson said the incident was over for firefighters by 6.40pm and the issue left in the care of the local authority. 

A Haringey Council spokesperson said: “We have previously written to owners and leaseholders of this type of building to remind them of their legal duty to keep properties safe. 

“We urge them to have regular inspections to check for loose stonework or defects.  They should contact their insurers and get a qualified person to check the condition of the building. 

“If residents spot loose stonework please report it to the council and it will be investigated.”