WALTHAM (CBS) – A Waltham roof is left with a large hole after a collapse Monday morning. It happened near 200 Moody Street.
No one was in the building and no injuries were reported.
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Fire Chief Tom MacInnis said the building has been empty for years and water had been deteriorating it for some time.
The call originally came in as possible vandalism. An officer responded and realized that the roof inside was falling down.
“It’s basically a collapse on the inside that pushes the front wall out. We are taking all precautions now so that the front of the wall, if it falls down, will be covered and everything will be out of the way, ”MacInnis said.
The material had pushed itself out of the front windows and sent shards of glass onto the sidewalk.
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A roof collapse in Waltham (Photo Via: @ BOGEY999)
The fire brigade is working to get an emergency permit to demolish the building.
“If it comes down, it will not hurt anyone, no one is in the area, the power is off, gas is off, so we need to feel good,” MacInnis said.
The owner of the building told WBZ-TV that the structure has been empty for 11 years. He planned to tear it down and build a hotel. After Monday’s collapse, the demolition section will be pushed up.
The building next door is also empty.
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The area will be cordoned off, but MacInnis hopes two lanes will be kept running at all times.
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