Yonkers officials deemed an old commercial building in imminent danger of collapse and quickly tore it down Thursday.

City officials visited the three-story building, which stood at 67 North Broadway near Wells Avenue, earlier in the day and determined a crack in the exterior wall had become too large and dangerous to public safety.

John Meyer, assistant chief of the Yonkers Fire Department, said the fire, police and buildings departments as well as the Office of Emergency Management worked together on the demolition. "It's a pretty coordinated event," Meyer said.

The building, nicknamed the "rat building," had been abandoned for several years. City officials said the previous owner never finished securing the roof. The current owner will pay for all costs, including the public personnel on hand for the demolition.

The portion of North Broadway nearest the demolished building will be closed while debris is cleared.