Sarah Brady
Updated on: October 17, 2024 2:18 am GMT
In a shocking incident late Sunday night, part of an apartment building in Philadelphia’s Francisville neighborhood collapsed, sending debris crashing onto cars below. The façade of the Darrah School Apartments fell around 9:30 p.m., prompting multiple emergency calls to police and firefighters regarding what witnesses initially believed to be an explosion.
Collapse Details
Witnesses reported an earth-shaking sound as the bricks and cinderblocks plummeted from the building’s upper levels. Surveillance footage from a nearby building captured the dramatic moment just before the debris hit the ground. Nearly all of the brick along the building’s top section fell several stories, landing in the street below and damaging parked vehicles.
- The incident occurred on the 700 block of North 17th Street.
- Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, with police and firefighters assessing the situation.
- Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the residents or pedestrians in the area, although several cars were left damaged.
Resident Reactions
Residents of the Darrah School Apartments were understandably rattled by the event. Many described the noise as sounding like an explosion or a bomb.
“I was just hanging out in my apartment, and all of a sudden, I hear a huge crashing noise. I thought it was thunder,” said Daniel Siy, a resident. His initial confusion turned to concern when he looked outside to see debris scattered across the street.
Another resident, Joelle Pitkoff, recalled feeling a strong shake in her apartment, believing initially that it might have been an earthquake. “I was laying in bed and I felt this crazy shake, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, there must be an earthquake,'” she said.
Sarah Rice, another local resident, shared her experience: “I heard this bang, sounded like a bomb.”
City Response and Building Assessment
Following the collapse, 17th and Folsom streets were closed as city officials started their investigation. Philadelphia’s Fire Board and Department of Licenses and Inspections were on-site to evaluate the building’s structural integrity.
Inspector D.F. Pace stated that a portion of the outer building had collapsed while the main structure appeared to remain intact. “Might just be a shelter in place situation,” he noted, adding that further assessments will determine if residents need to evacuate.
Currently, the city officials are:
- Inspecting the structural soundness of the building.
- Deciding whether any immediate evacuations are needed.
- Evaluating the safety of nearby residences in the area.
Community Concerns
As investigations continue, community members are left anxious about their safety. Many expressed worry over the building’s condition and the potential hazards it poses. Daniel Siy commented, “I don’t feel safe going back into the building.”
Residents also mentioned having observed recent signs of potential issues, which raises concerns about the overall upkeep of the converted school building.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regular building inspections and maintenance, especially for older structures converted into residential spaces.
Conclusion
As Philadelphia authorities work to assess the situation and safeguard the residents, the incident at the Darrah School Apartments highlights urgent community safety concerns. Local officials are committed to ensuring that residents are safe and informed as they navigate the aftermath of this unexpected and alarming occurrence. For now, those affected will await a thorough evaluation to determine next steps and ensure similar incidents can be prevented in the future.
If you want to learn more about building safety and what’s happening in your area, check out Philly.com.
