The Planning department staff was evacuated, and have relocated to Howard Davis Farm until Monday while repairs are carried out.
The damage was one of a huge number of calls attended by Firefighters between 3.30 pm and 5.30 pm – they also dealt with other building damage, flooding calls, a car crash that saw an elderly man trapped in a vehicle, a fire in a house, fallen trees and a gas leak caused by a flying fence panel being blown into a bank of cylinders.
Every one of the fire service’s appliances was out around the Island attending calls during the busy period. Chief Minister Ian Gorst this morning tweeted thanks to all of the emergency services, public sector staff and honorary officers who have been out dealing with the effects of the storm.
Jersey Fire and Rescue Service Group Commander Martin Allix said: “It would be fair to say that the Fire & Rescue Service was ‘stretched’ in all directions with 15 emergency calls demanding our attention over a two hour period with people in dangerous situations and property damaged.
“The Service had all appliances out, attending incidents; inclusive of a large amount of ‘on-call’ Firefighters who responded in support of the Service from their normal full time employment.
“These moments really ‘test’ the Service where we have to prioritise our resources as to where we attend and what with i.e. how many people, what equipment and where first?
“We endeavour to get to all people calling for our help as quickly as possible and today was a good example of the commitment and determination of fire crews to provide the service the people of Jersey expect from us.”
A statement from Planning said that high winds blew away a large area of the flat roof covering and rain penetrated parts of the building. Roads around the site were also closed while the building was made safe.