Six families have been forced to evacuate on Putnam Street because their building in Hartford was in danger of collapsing Thursday.
"We have been informed that an imminent building collapse will occur at 26-28 Putnam Street," said Maribel La Luz, spokesperson for Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, in a statement.
Many of the families lost just about everything they own.
"We only had 15 minutes to evacuate," said resident Alex Rodriguez. With the multi-family apartment building in danger of collapsing, many residents had to wonder what they could carry out.
"Clothes, that's it. Nothing else but clothes," Rodriguez said.
Janice Com stock lived on the second floor, just above the crumbling, brick wall on the side of building. She says a building inspector knocked on her door and told her to evacuate immediately.
"I just hung around here in hopes I can get my medication and some clothing," said Janice. All she had left is what she can push down the street, but takes comfort knowing Janice had to give up several of her cats.
A city building official says its taken years for the brick wall to protrude and grow 8 inches and they need to act fast.
"If that bulge actually ruptures it's going to take out the whole side of the building, so the imminent threat is there," he said.
The building will be demolished Friday morning.
Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com
