STUDENTS had a lucky escape today when the roof of their home collapsed, almost crushing them to death.

The four Sussex University students were relaxing at their home in Preston Road, Brighton, when part of the roof came down.

Tom Robinson was in the living room – where a beam smashed through – but moved out of the way just seconds before more of the structure collapsed.

Second year politics student Tess Michaels, 20, admitted she and her flatmates had a “lucky escape” and things could have been much worse if the roof had fallen seconds before.

The group, who only moved into the house two weeks ago, miraculously escaped uninjured and firefighters managed to recover most of their possessions, though they are now seeking emergency accommodation.

Traumatised Tess initially thought one of her housemates had dropped something until the second bang, then she knew it was more serious.

She said: “If Tom had have left it a second longer it would’ve crushed him.

“It was a lucky escape for us.

“I heard a bang and thought something had fallen or someone dropped something, then suddenly the whole roof came down.

“There was black smoke everywhere.

“It was really scary. I thought my friends died.”

The three-storey building, which is above a shop, was badly damaged – with half of the roof hanging off at the back. The damage inside is unclear.

Firefighters cordoned off part of the road as they tried to make the building secure in the afternoon after receiving the call just after 3pm.

They were there for a few hours and got some of the students’ expensive belongings, including guitars and other valuables.

Building inspectors were also at the scene, and it is believed the students could have a wait of up to two weeks until they can return to their home.

They were not allowed back in the house as more of the building could give way at any time.

Tess has no idea what caused the roof to collapse, but hopes the university can find them all accommodation quickly.

She added: “It’s a really nice house. We hope they can fix it.”

Graham Cook is the boss of the Badlands Guitars shop next door to the students’ flat.

He was shocked when some of the debris from the collapse smashed on to the roof of his store.

Graham said: “I heard two almighty crashes, one after the other, and had no idea what it was.

“I thought something had fallen from the flat above my shop and through the roof.”