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HAMILTON, ONT. — Hamilton police and fire were called to the area of 28 King St. E. near Gore Park for reports two buildings had partially collapsed yesterday (Nov. 11) morning, causing road closures and nearby evacuations.

According to a media release from Hamilton Fire Chief Dave Cunliffe, crews were called to the area near Hughson Street at approximately 6:20 a.m.

Upon arrival it was confirmed there was a partial collapse of two buildings on the south side of King Street East, numbered 24 and 28, with a debris extending out onto the street.

According to the city, a building inspector arrived onsite at approximately 7:30 a.m. After the fire department and police provided clearance to enter, the building inspector was able to begin their inspection.

A nearby building was also impacted.

“Visible damage from the collapse could be seen on the exterior of the west wall of #40 King Street East,” Cunliffe reported. “Firefighters gained access to the building and evacuated a few people who were inside.”

Initial inspections revealed the front portions of 24 and 28 King St. E., both vacant four-storey brick buildings, had partially collapsed to the north and east.

The remaining wall structures on the partially collapsed buildings were significantly bowed and showed signs of a further collapse, which prompted crews to set up a collapse zone around the perimeter of the full block of King Street between James Street and Hughson Street and Main Street East, reported Cunliffe.

“The involved buildings had been boarded up for some time and we were advised by the property manager that no one should have been in the building,” he said.

The fire department’s drone unit conducted a fly over of the two buildings in addition to the collapse pile with it’s thermal imaging equipment to see if a heat signature could be found. Nothing was reported and there were no injuries.

Currently the site remains secured, under the care and control of the owner, and their contractors, while remedial work is undertaken, the city states.

According to Hamilton Ward 2 Coun. Cameron Kroetsch, who posted pictures and a statement on X, the buildings had been neglected.

I just got back from Gore Park where a heritage building collapsed due to neglect by its owners. I spoke with the Fire Chief who said they need to investigate the structure to determine next steps. They have done some fly overs with drones but need to excavate to be sure.

— Ward 2 Hamilton (@Ward2Hamilton)

“I just got back from Gore Park where a heritage building collapsed due to neglect by its owners,” he wrote. “Somewhat ironically, in order to draw attention to this issue of demolition by neglect in Ward 2, a problem that has been building for decades, I was on an endangered landmarks tour yesterday in Gore Park with the public, in front of this building.

“And, as many know, the annual Remembrance Day parade went by, right in front of this building, yesterday. It’s frightening to imagine what could have happened.”

The collapse of the buildings had no impact on the Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph, the fire chief reported.

Prior to this incident, the city’s municipal law enforcement as well as the building division had been conducting regular inspections to ensure compliance with property maintenance and building code requirements, the city wrote in a statement.

An order to comply from the building division was issued on July 22 to the building owner to address specific concerns; however, compliance had not been achieved. Last week, the city initiated further enforcement actions to hold the property owner accountable to meet their obligations to maintain the safety and integrity of the building.

The city is now working with the owner to ensure the professional engineer they’ve hired conducts a thorough evaluation of the structures.

Further demolition of the remaining partial structures at 24 and 28 King St. E. will be required, the city explains, along with further assessments of adjacent connected buildings to ensure structural stability.

“Through the demolition plan, the city will make every effort to salvage and preserve any heritage features that can be safely retained, honouring the architectural significance of these historic buildings,” the release reads.

“The building collapse yesterday highlights the need for a review of enforcement processes and recommendations to prevent such incidents,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath.

“We are fully committed to protecting the community and will take all necessary steps to strengthen these efforts.”