SALEM, Ohio (WYTV) – Last week, city leaders in Salem closed a portion of State Street in the downtown area because a building was in danger of collapsing.
Sometime over night on Sunday, the city’s worst fears came true when part of the Tan-Fastic building collapsed in on itself, prompting city leaders to declare a state of emergency and barricade neighboring storefronts. Experts have told Salem leaders that the three-story building might take others with it in a domino effect because the east walls are shared with a narrow building next door.
Luckily, no one was hurt and much of the debris seems to have fallen inside the Tan-Fastic building.
“From a safety standpoint, the city has to take this action right now. We can’t afford that falling down on any cars or residents or anyone in the general public,” Salem Safety-Service Director Ken Kenst said.
On Wednesday, a demolition contractor is coming to install more sturdy fencing and to give an estimate on when the building can safely come down. The city has set aside $250,000 for the work.
The building owner is facing off against the city in court.
“It is a pretty windy day out there. So we’re not sure what is going to happen with it. The temporary restraints we put on last fall seem to be holding,” Kenst said.
