COLUMBUS — Dramatic video captured by a bystander showed the moment a Columbus building partially collapsed Monday morning.
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No injuries were reported in the collapse, which happened on East Long Street in the city’s King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood around 11:45 a.m. A firefighter narrowly avoided injury and was on the second floor of the building when it collapsed, according to a report from our news partners at WBNS-TV in Columbus.
“A very close call for us. Seems like a relatively routine run for us and went sideways. One of the dangers we face, really on all of our runs we are called for,” Columbus Division of Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Geitter told the station.
Footage shot by a bystander shows the moment the building started to crumble, sending debris into the street and causing severe structural damage.
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Columbus’ chief building official has issued an emergency order that requires immediate demolition of the building. The building is expected to be torn down within the next few days, according to the WBNS-TV report.
A small convenience store located inside the building was not open at the time of the collapse, but will be forced to close, a move the owner of the store said was devastating.
“You know how you lose your family? That’s how I feel right now. It was a family business,” said Saed Sweilmieen, owner of Old School Carry Outs told WBNS-TV.
Neighbors told the station the store and building was a part of their community and it was hard to see it destroyed.
“We’re losing a corner store. We as a community will definitely suffer as a result of this,” Tina Taylor said.
“Honestly it took a minute to like really sink in. First, I look at it and I’m like shocked, just to see that outside my door,” Jacoti Sommes said.
The owner of the building lived in the third floor of the structure but was not home at the time.