Owner of Collapsed Plant Had Been Warned Structure Was Not Safe

The Haverhill-based owner of the abandoned Westford steel plant that collapsed Tuesday had been warned the structure was not safe on multiple occasions.

The Westford building commissioner's office had sent at least two letters to J.A.S. Nominee Trust and trustee David A. Allen warning the dilapidated building had structural issues.

The building, formerly Westford Anodizing, . There were no injuries.

The roof was weighed down by about two feet of snow soaked by a morning rain Tuesday.

A section of Broadway Street located near the collapse was closed until further notice because of the potential for falling debris on the roadway.

The latest letter, dated Jan. 27, said a smaller section of the roof collapsed earlier in January.

"The seriousness of the situation has become even more evident," Building Commissioner Matthew Hakala wrote, adding there were "potential structural issues" with the walls and a smokestack.

That determination was based on a site walk by the fire, engineering, and building departments.

Hakala wrote that the owner failed to immediately remedy the situation, which violated the state's building code.

Hakala wrote the town could pursue legal action.

His letter is attached.