The demolition of a partially collapsed Iowa apartment complex began Monday, a week after officials confirmed three bodies had been recovered from the scene.
Part of the six-story building in downtown Davenport went down May 28, and city officials described the remaining structure as being “insecure and in imminent danger of collapse.”
The demolition of the rest of the building is expected to take several weeks, the city said Sunday night.
“This has been a thorough planning process that has considered asbestos removal and the impact on neighboring properties,” reads Sunday’s announcement on the Davenport website. “Part of the preparation included inspections of nearby structures to determine their vulnerability.”
“Once the dismantling work is complete, crews will then need to remove the debris and clear the site.”
The city initially announced the demolition was “expected to commence” two days after part of the building went down.
Seven people were rescued on the evening of the collapse, and another was saved overnight. A woman was rescued the following day after calling her daughter from the building’s fourth floor, according to the Quad-City Times. One survivor’s leg was amputated after she got trapped by the rubble.
Authorities said they found the body of Branden Colvin Sr., 42, on June 3. They found the body of Ryan Hitchcock, 51, a day later and the body of Daniel Prien, 60, on June 5, police said.
Many others who lived in the 84-apartment building were left homeless. People who live near the building on Main Street were urged to leave as the demolition takes place.
Documents released by the city indicate the building’s owner was warned about concerns that the apartment complex was unstable.