BOSTON — A two-story building in a southwest Boston neighborhood is in danger of collapsing after a vehicle slammed into a group of stores Sunday, authorities said.
A Toyota Camry slammed into the facade of the building in Roslindale Square at about 8:30 a.m. EST, WFTX-TV reported.
According to a tweet from the Boston Fire Department, the building was evacuated due to a “concern of a potential collapse.” The organization said that companies of the department were using a laser to monitor the building to determine whether there was any movement.
A car crashed into a block of stores at Corinth St. Roslindale.The driver was transported by @BOSTON_EMS .The building has been evacuated, for concern of a potential collapse. pic.twitter.com/lPBinfLxCJ
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) December 18, 2022
The driver of the Camry escaped with minor injuries, WFTX reported. Authorities did not provide any further details about the motorist.
Sarah Kosky, who runs a business in the building, had been anticipating a busy week heading into the Christmas holiday. Now, her storefront is damaged.
“I’m glad no one’s hurt,” Kosky told the television station. “But this is really heartbreaking. So many of us put everything we have into our businesses here.”
Kosky’s business, Beautiful by Sarah, opened two years ago. The business offers beauty services, including facials and make-up.
“This is the type of stuff that takes small businesses down,” Kosky told WFTX. “I hope the community is ready to support us.”
According to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, the city is ready to lend assistance.
“There are some really important longstanding businesses here that everyone relies on,” Wu told the television station. “So we’re all ‘hands on deck’ trying to make sure they’re OK. Today the focus is on safety and assessing the building to make sure we can prevent any further damage, now that it is open, with the cold weather coming.”
There were no occupants in the building at the time of the crash, according to Brian Alkins, a spokesperson for the Boston Fire Department. Alkins added the building and the surrounding street will be closed “until we can take care of the building.”
It was unclear what led to the crash.
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