A building on the brink of full collapse was demolished yesterday in downtown Baltimore. According to WBAL-TV, the structure, located at 310 North Eutaw Street near the Lexington Market, was first brought to attention on Sunday when it began to give way partially. No injuries have been recorded due to the vacancy of the edifice at the time of collapse.
The demolition was deemed necessary to prevent any further risk to public safety. The Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development has to quickly proceed with the emergency demolition after "significant structural failures" were identified during inspections, as this condition presented an "imminent danger of collapse," according to a briefing by the department that WBAL-TV detailed. The street closure along Eutaw Street, from West Mulberry to Saratoga Street, affected the area through peak morning hours.
Baltimore City Fire spokesman John Marsh explained the building was wedged between another vacant property and an occupied one, which had to be evacuated. Firefighters declared two buildings condemned to ensure no loss of life or further injury could occur. A third, the red building that initially collapsed, was fully demolished later on Monday after a survey by inspectors and structural engineers.
The incident disrupted not only road traffic but also local businesses and pedestrian paths in the historic Market Center district. "The area is a few feet away from the Lexington Market retail district, and the demolition caused disruptions to foot traffic near the businesses," CBS News Baltimore reported. Train services were also compelled to run at a reduced speed near the Lexington Market Station yesterday, before resuming regular operations today.
