Back of Building Collapses on Jackson Street

The back of a four-story building at 417 Jackson Street collapsed on Tuesday afternoon. The building had sustained fire damage a few years earlier and had been unoccupied since then, according to Fire Chief Richard Blohm on the scene. 

Nobody appeared to be hurt in the collapse, according to Ambulance personnel. 

The building, as well as 419 Jackson St.—the adjacent building—will need to be demolished, Blohm said. The two buildings are owned by different people, Blohm said. 

Public Safety Director Angel Alicea was on scene as well as several police officers and firefighters. Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo was on the scene as well. 

The Pentecostal church Anglesa Damanasco will have to remain closed, the chief said. Blohm said the church had been contacted to remove their valuable items in case of a further collapse. 

The Fire Department is now on "stand by mode," Blohm said. Officials from the Construction office needed to come down to assess the damage.