Several rescued from collapsed building in South Union Township
Alyssa Choiniere | 蘑菇视频
Seven people were displaced, four were rescued and two were taken to Uniontown Hospital after an apartment building collapsed at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at 474 S. Mount Vernon Ave. Extension.
Alyssa Choiniere | 蘑菇视频
Tenant Michael Cassidy (right), who was rescued after an apartment above him collapsed Tuesday afternoon, comforts his landlady, Christine Shock, who owns the building at 474 South Mount Vernon Avenue Extension.
Alyssa Choiniere | 蘑菇视频
Seven people were displaced, four were rescued and two were taken to Uniontown Hospital after an apartment building collapsed at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at 474 South Mount Vernon Avenue Extension.
Alyssa Choiniere | 蘑菇视频
Seven people were displaced, four were rescued and two were taken to Uniontown Hospital after an apartment building collapsed at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at 474 South Mount Vernon Avenue Extension.
Alyssa Choiniere | 蘑菇视频
Displaced tenants and neighbors stand outside a collapsed building at 474 South Mount Vernon Avenue Extension at about 3 :30 p.m. Tuesday.
Alyssa Choiniere | 蘑菇视频
Displaced tenants and neighbors stand outside a collapsed building at 474 S. Mount Vernon Ave. Extension at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Four people were trapped and two were taken to the hospital when an apartment building collapsed on South Mount Vernon Avenue Extension Tuesday afternoon, leaving seven people homeless.
鈥淚 was in the living room and heard stuff giving way, the bricks and everything,鈥� said Michael Cassidy, whose apartment was at the center of the collapse. 鈥淚 started running and it was collapsing around me as I ran.鈥�
The floor of an upstairs apartment collapsed into his unit at about 3:30 p.m., trapping him in his bedroom. He escaped through his bedroom window.
鈥淚 was just hoping I would survive it,鈥� he said.
The apartment above him was unoccupied.
An engineer was called to determine the cause of the collapse at the 474 South Mount Vernon Avenue Extension, which may have been weather related, according to South Union Township Volunteer Fire Chief Rick McCormick. He said the engineer condemned the building and will investigate the cause Wednesday.
The couple who was taken to the hospital lived in the downstairs apartment in front of Cassidy. They were taken to Uniontown Hospital by Fayette EMS. McCormick said the man reported chest pains and the woman was severely shaken.
Chris Harvey, who lived upstairs in the front unit adjacent to the collapsed unit, said he felt the floor shake. He broke down his front door to escape, then saw a firefighter coming in through his window.
Both tenants said they had no previous problems at the building.
Christine Shock, who owns the building, was shaken and tearful on the scene. Two of her tenants hugged and comforted her.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know what to say. It just fell,鈥� she said through tears.
She has owned the building for three or four years and held insurance. There were no problems with the building before it collapsed, she said. Shock said she wants to help her tenants any way she can.
鈥淚鈥檓 worried about my tenants,鈥� she said, adding she is grateful no one was seriously hurt. 鈥淣othing else matters.鈥�
The American Red Cross was called to assist the displaced tenants.聽
Cassidy said he is unsure where he will stay tonight, adding he no longer has living family members. He said he lost many of his belongings, in addition to his home. Still, he said he is confident he will get back on his feet.
鈥淚t鈥檒l all work out. God is watching over me,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e all recover.鈥�
The collapse occurred as the area was pounded by heavy rains. Many areas of the county were put under a flash flood warning.
Less than one block away, high waters flooded the intersection of Dixon Boulevard and South Mount Vernon Avenue. A Fayette 911 supervisor reported numerous calls came in for flooded roads and basements, downed wires and trees in Uniontown and surrounding areas. A man was rescued from his car on Pittsburgh Street when it became trapped on the flooded road.
The National Weather Service put the warning in effect for western Fayette County until 7:15 p.m and until 6 p.m. for eastern parts of the county with nearly 3 inches of rain forecast Tuesday night.