Neighborhood resident saw ‘bricks falling out’ before Boston building collapse

BOSTON — Boston officials have launched an investigation after a building in the city partially collapsed early Wednesday morning.

Emergency crews responding to 57 Webster Street in East Boston around 1:15 a.m. found part of a vacant brick building that had collapsed, according to the Boston Fire Department.

Photos shared by firefighters showed a large hole in the third floor of the building. A Boston 25 News photographer captured video of bricks scattered on the sidewalk below.

An adjacent building at 55 Webster Street was also evacuated due to safety concerns.

Neighborhood resident Randall Wetzig told Boston 25 that he isn’t surprised that part of the building crumbled to the ground.

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“One day, we saw some bricks lying on the ground, looked up, and saw that they had fallen out,” Wetzig said. “We stayed on this side of the road, especially because I have two little kids. We didn’t want to go over there since we had seen bricks falling out.”

There were no reported injuries in the collapse.

The building’s owner told Boston 25’s April Baker that the multi-family home was undergoing renovations. Records show it was constructed in 1910.

March Joseph, deputy building commissioner with Boston Inspectional Services, said renovations were being done in compliance with city codes and regulations. He said that the collapse happened due to water in the walls.

Tania Del Rio, incoming Commissioner for Boston Inspectional Services, said contractors and inspectors identified that there was the risk of the facade collapsing about a month ago, prompting the installation of scaffolding.

Del Rio noted the collapse happened before the problem could be remedied.

A demolition crew will now work to remove structurally unsafe parts of the home.

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