Crews have demolished an apartment building ravaged in a Friday night fire that sent three to the hospital, including an 8-year-old girl, and displaced more than three dozen people.
Flames rapidly ripped through 22-24 Hamilton Street at about 7:30 p.m. Friday and firefighters had to rescue an 8-year-old girl who was inside. That child was released from the hospital on Saturday.
Saturday morning, the structure was showing serious signs of weakness.
Police blocked off the area because the charred building could collapse at any moment. The back of the building was barely holding up with just one support beat remaining.
“It’s just unbelievable… unbelievable," neighbor Cody Jackson said.
The American Red Cross is helping 39 people displaced from 10 families, including 26 adults and 13 kids, by giving them emergency housing and providing food and warm clothing to brave the cold weather. Volunteers are also giving the children stuffed animals. Another family that lives in the apartment building was not at the scene, but the Red Cross has offered to help them, as well.
Officials are trying to save a neighboring building damaged in the fire. Fire officials say that they believe that building at 18-20 Hamilton Street can be salvaged.
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There are still hoses running through the building because firefighters had to drop everything and run from the complex.
Police, gas company workers and construction crews were on scene as demolition occured Saturday.
