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4-Story Building Collapses In East Boston

EAST BOSTON (CBS) - A crumbling, vacant, 4-story building in East Boston collapsed late Friday night.

Firefighters responded to 47 Chelsea Street around 11:00 p.m., the second time they had been called to the address this week.

The heavy rains are believed to have further compromised the crumbling structure enough for it to finally give way.

In Photos: East Boston Building Collapse

The collapse sent brick and concrete flying across the road.

No one was hurt, but the collapse caused concerns about the structural integrity of the neighboring home.

There were worries about whether debris slamming into the building at 53 Chelsea Street may have caused structural problems. A large amount of debris was resting against the four-story apartment building.

Police and Inspectional Services were on scene. The building had been evacuated.

The owners of that neighboring home say they didn't have much notice.

"We were down here until one in the morning trying to get our tenants out. They grabbed a couple of pieces of clothing and they were out, said Denise Lam, whose family owns the adjacent building.

On Saturday, Chelsea Street from Gove Street to Maverick Street remained closed.

Boston fire department said the property owner would have to hire an engineer to come up with plan to clean up site.

Demolition was scheduled to take place Saturday into Sunday.

That was expected to impact the MBTA's Blue line. Beginning at 8:00 PM Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon at 12:00 PM, shuttle buses would be running between Maverick and Airport Stations as a result.

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