Reading PA Fire Department

Workers renovating a building apparently went too far in demolishing the interior of the 4 story structure at South 9th and Bingaman Streets. Spotted by a city employee and passed on to the Fire Marshal and the Codes Division, the building at 202 S. 9th Street was in the midst of an inspection when the front came crashing down into the street.

The Fire Marshal was on the radio at the time and was apparently astonished as he spoke while watching the event. Rescue 1 was called to the scene, Car 8 and Engine 1 also went on location. It was believed that there were no workers in the building at the time but a visual search was performed as a precaution. No one was allowed into the section that remained standing. Utilities were also called. Police were on location with Car 10 and the inspector and set up a command position after the collapse. The area The Police Command Unit was called to the scene. Unit 200 was also called in to assist with hot refreshments.

According to the Reading Eagle

"City Building Inspector Steven J. Dunkle and Fire Marshal Todd M. Iaeger were there when the building collapsed. About an hour earlier, Dunkle received a call from one of the city?s property management inspectors who said a small portion of the building had collapsed and the rest of the structure was in imminent danger of collapse."

The area was sectioned off and an emergency order for the demolision of the rest of the structure was requested.

Thanks to FF T. Leszczynski for sending us some photos of this incident

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