Officials said that a portion of an historic six-story building collapsed in Davenport on Sunday. Seven people were rescued and others suffered injuries.
City officials at a press conference said that they were still concerned about the possibility of some being buried under the rubble.
Davenport Fire Department chief Mike Carlsten stated during the press conference that it is possible that a natural gas leak was caused by the collapse, which occurred just before 5 pm.
He said that “a portion of the rear structure had collapsed and separated from the main building.”
Onlookers watch as emergency crews work the scene of a partial building collapse Sunday on Main Street in Davenport, Iowa.
Nikos Frazier / AP
He said that in addition to the seven rescues, first responders also helped more than a dozen other people as they exited the building. Carlsten reported that all injuries were treated at the scene, and are therefore relatively minor.
Officials did not rule out the possibility of deaths. Mayor Mike Matson said, “There are still people missing.”
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of collapse. The mayor announced that city structural experts would be expected to inspect the building. The mayor said that it was not yet clear whether the residents who were evacuated by Red Cross and are being assisted would be allowed to return.
Carlsten stated that they were not sure of the stability of the building. “Even as we were on the scene, we had multiple secondary drops of dust coming from that building.”
According to the library of the city, this building is built with bricks over steel and concrete.
Rich Oswald said that the owner of the property had “permit problems” with exterior brickwork. He said that the city had also ordered specific upgrades and repairs to be made by the property owners.
He said that the reports of bricks falling were due to this work. Officials acknowledged that residents had complained about the condition of the Davenport building.
Oswald stated that the tenants in this building were very active. They’ve complained to the city many times.
The owner of the building was not immediately known. City documents indicate entities called the 324 Main Street Project, and the Davenport Project had planned to improve the building for years while requesting tax breaks.
The Davenport Hotel was located in this building in Cork Hill District. It was built in 1907. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Michelle Acevedo, Tavleen Tarrant and Michelle Acevedo contributed.
