WATER WEIGHT JUST TOO MUCH

AND THE WALLS CAME A TUMBLING DOWN!

Elyria – An initial investigation into the structure collapse this morning at the Elyria Flea Market is leaning towards too much water on the roof.

Captain Richard Benton of the Elyria Fire Department said that they were first responding to a report of an odor of natural gas. “We received our first call at 7:55 for an odor of natural gas at 530 Abbe Road South. Half way there we received another call of a building collapse, so when we arrived on scene I had all the units stage at the north of the building which was upwind of the gas leak.”

Captain Benton said they quickly confirmed that they indeed had a gas leak. “Once we confirmed the gas and water leak we had the Police secure the access to the area and then called for all utilities to be sent to the scene to shut off the gas, electric and water.”
Once all of the utilities were shut off Firefighters entered the building to monitor the air to see if they had an explosive atmosphere and to ventilate the building.

Captain Benton said that one of the nearby businesses reported losing their water pressure around 1:30 in the morning and that the big 1 million gallon water tower was almost empty from the big main that was leaking inside of the building.

Firefighters turned control of the building over to the City Building Department. Captain Benton said it will be up to them to decide if an when the building is structurally sound for the tenants to return.


To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE