Chelsea Deems Orange Street Building Unsafe After Facade Collapse

Nine residents of a Chelsea apartment building have been moved out after part of the structure's facade collapsed and city inspectors declared the property "structurally unsafe," the city confirmed on October 13, according to the Boston Globe.

Firefighters were called to 38-40 Orange St., a three-story brick residence, at about 8 p.m. on October 11 for a report of a partial collapse, the city said in a statement. Crews found significant damage to the front facade at the second and third floors, with brick and concrete debris on the sidewalk. All residents were evacuated, and no injuries were reported. The property owner and the fire department helped relocate them.

An inspection using the fire department's drone unit found the front and side walls separating, a sagging roof and a lean toward 38 Orange St. A follow-up inspection on October 12 found both 38 and 40 Orange St. unsafe for occupancy. The building's fire alarm system was also damaged.

Mike McAteer, Chelsea's director of inspectional services, said the building dates to 1890-1900 and has a double-width brick exterior wall no longer permitted in new construction. He said water entering cracks between bricks froze over the years, fracturing the masonry until the wall partially gave way.

The property management company's engineers were expected to assess the structure on October 13, and firefighters were to remain on scene, the city said.

This story was first reported by The Boston Globe.