2 Hurt After Vacant Building Collapses In Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Two people are hurt after a vacant building collapses in West Baltimore this morning, sparking concern about the safety of other teetering structures throughout the city.

There was no missing what happened Tuesday morning near the corner of Edmondson Avenue and Appleton Street.

A three-story, vacant row home collapsed around 10:30 a.m. injuring two men, sending one to the hospital, and leaving a pile of rubble behind.

Neighbors tell WJZ people would frequently walk in the alley next to this building, kids would play just a few feet away and they're never sure which building could be next to come down.

"They really need to get on top of all the old, empty buildings, they really do. Not just here in this zone, all over Baltimore City," said one resident.

Back in January, Governor Larry Hogan announced a $700-million state investment to tear down thousands of vacant properties in Baltimore.

But some of these messes are taking care of themselves, falling over before the city can do the job.

Back in March, one man was killed when a building at Payson Street and West Lafayette Avenue Came crashing down on his car.

And just one week ago, the roof of a home on Beaufort Avenue collapsed with one person inside.

Now, as cleanup continues on a new cavity in this row of homes, residents are left wondering which building is next.

Under the $700-million state program about 4,000 blighted buildings are set to be torn down every year.

After the demolition comes the funding to rebuild. Crews say it could take days before all the remnants of this house are cleaned up and hauled away.