Burlington, IA – The eastern wall of the two story building at 215 Division Street collapsed into an alley at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. Two people in the second floor apartment were uninjured but had to be rescued.
Burlington Fire Department Battalion Chief Matt Trexel says the age and condition of the building and a stress crack likely contributed to the collapse. He says the owner planned to repair the crack.
Burlington Community Development Director Eric Larson says what was left of 215 Division St. had to be torn down. He says, because of shared walls, the buildings at 217 Division St. and 219 Division St. also had to come down.
Larson says the occupants of the two buildings were able to get most of their personal possessions out before the demolition got underway. That includes several cars that were inside an auto repair shop.
Larson says the debris should be removed within the next day or so. He says the area remains blocked off to vehicle and pedestrian traffic.