STRUCTURAL engineers engaged by the City of Fremantle have provided a preliminary assessment of the structural integrity of the heritage building that collapsed on 12 Bannister Street in Fremantle last week.
An emergency building order has been issued by the City to the owners of the building, which requires the owners to undertake measures to stabilise the building as recommended in the engineer’s report, which essentially involves installing props to support the remaining walls and the roof, which has now been done.
The immediate area around the building remains cordoned off.
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READ NOWThe building is next door to a bar and restaurant, Stable Hands, where staff were moving stock when they heard the building collapse, but they escaped injury.
The road was cordoned off as emergency services, engineers and council workers attend the scene.
The Attic Cafe, which is next door, closed early but opened the next morning.
Owner and manager of Stable Hands Phillip Arnoldsaid he was in shock when the accident happened.
“The second collapse we were outside and we were moving stock away from the walls, cleaning up a bit and we heard the noise and ran out of the building,” he said.
“It was just a big bang, as soon as you hear that you just run.
“I want everyone to be alright and think about your business when you can trade again, we don’t know when we will be able to trade, I don’t see it in the near future.”
Further investigations to determine the exact cause of the collapse are continuing.
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