No Injuries in St. Pete Building Collapse

Patients at Quest Diagnostics’ 9th Avenue North location became witness to an unusual occurrence Thursday morning.

According to St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Lt. Steven Lawrence, the front of the building collapsed early Thursday, forcing the building’s evacuation and subsequent condemnation.

Lawrence said his agency received a call about the collapse at 2299 9th Ave. N. just after 8:30 a.m. The building’s owner, he said, had been told there were issues with the structure and had just hired a contractor Wednesday to begin addressing the problems.

“The contractor came out yesterday, taped off the area, but hadn’t started work,” Lawrence said.

Before the contractor could return, the front of the building collapsed, causing “notable damage to other sides of the structure,” Lawrence stated.

All three businesses that operate out of the location were evacuated, Lawrence said, and were told they have to remain closed until an engineer could evaluate the situation.

Quest Diagnostics, Lawrence said, did have patients in the office at the time of the collapse, but they were not injured.

No other injuries were reported. Pinellas Primary Care is also located in the building. It is unclear what other businesses are housed in the building.

Image via Shutterstock

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