by Alan Quick

IT stood for more than 300 years but in just a few seconds an historic Devon cottage partially collapsed after an earthquake.

It struck just before 2.30pm on Saturday, February 17 and was the largest to hit the region in a decade.

The epicentre was in Wales but the tremor was felt across the South West, including in the Crediton area.

The tremor is believed to have caused the collapse of much of Robert Crowley’s home in Bow.

Mr Crowley said he was in shock but was pleased that no-one was injured when an end wall came down.

The wall had stood for centuries and as reported in the “Courier” on February 16, a large hole appeared in the wall on Tuesday, February 13.

At the time it was not known what had caused the hole to appear but it was believed that heavy rain had damaged the wall.

A roadway to the property and neighbouring properties was closed by a gate placed across the entrance and there were many cracks in the remainder of the structure.

Last Saturday, unbelievably, the collapse of the remainder of the wall was captured on Mr Crowley’s home CCTV system.

Mr Crowley was outside playing with his dog in the back garden when the collapse occurred.

He explained: "When the rumble occurred I could hear it and see the clouds of dust and figured out what had occurred.

"I was disappointed, I’m just grateful that no-one was harmed."

The house roof is resting on its joists and furniture can still be seen in upstairs and downstairs rooms, fully exposed to the elements.

Immediately after the hole appeared, Mr Crowley called in structural engineers.

Mr Crowley said that unfortunately the premises was not insured and he had tried to gain access to funds from a pension.

He added that he has been living in a kitchen and bathroom at the rear of the premises since the collapse of much of his home.