Historic Poughkeepsie home torn down to avoid collapse or damage to other buildings
"When they evacuated the building yesterday morning, yes I was home," said Masai Dolman, whose apartment was right in the path of a potential collapse, "but prior to that, the building was collapsing on its left-hand side."
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A 125-year-old multiunit building at 11 North Hamilton St. in Poughkeepsie that six people called home is no more.
"My neighbors called me," displaced tenant Jose Agustin said. "They were like, 'Hey, you better come over here because they might demolish your house.'"
Agustin, other tenants and the next-door neighbors told News 12 they saw the emergency coming.
"When they evacuated the building yesterday morning, yes, I was home," said Masai Dolman, whose apartment was right in the path of a potential collapse, "but prior to that, the building was collapsing on its left-hand side."
Shortly after building inspectors responded Thursday morning to a report of bricks falling out of the side of the building, the city ordered it be torn down immediately, bypassing an asbestos assessment because there was not enough time.
Tenants said they were given 20 to 30 minutes to collect some belongings before leaving permanently. The rest of their items — which included furniture and appliances — were left behind and destroyed.
A demolition contractor said Friday morning that the building shifted eight inches to its left over just a few hours.
Neighboring buildings were evacuated for the length of the overnight demolition. Those residents were cleared Friday morning to return home.
The property managers are arranging new apartments for some tenants and hotel rooms for others.
Building owner Lester Runza told News 12 Thursday evening he has invested in the building in recent years, including springing for a new roof.
City Administrator Joe Donat said Friday the owner could have taken better care of the property.
Contractors are expected to remove the debris from the lot this weekend.
The demolition contractor said the crew took extra measures to contain any possible asbestos during demolition, and the removal of the debris will also involve extra steps to contain any hazardous materials.
