Leslie implodes partly-built Avalon houses

A partially-built house in Pouch Cove on the Avalon peninsula was destroyed mid-morning Tuesday when it was pummelled by tropical storm Leslie. 

Neighbours say the house was the largest being built in an upscale subdivision in the town.

"All the supports underneath, the roof collapsed right on top of it," said Kirk Staubitzer of neighbouring Shoe Cove who witnessed the incident.

He said construction on the sizeable house was nearly completed when it was hit by the storm.

"The only thing remaining now is an attached garage," said Staubitzer." And not even all of that."

Next door neighbour Derek McDonald said the house fell down in a matter of minutes at 8:30 a.m.

"The house was standing when I came home," said McDonald. "I parked my car, and walked into the side of the house."

"By the time I got to the kitchen there was debris blowing around. I looked out and the house that was, wasn't there anymore."

Neighbours told CBC News they believe the house could have been worth $1 million or more.

It wasn't the only home under construction to suffer severe damage during the storm.

Several walls of a house being built in the Pleasantville neighbourhood of St. John's came down, as well as one side of its roof.