In Clearwater, Florida, residents of a condo complex were asked to leave on Tuesday evening after cracks were discovered in a support pillar below the building.
The Clearwater Police Department and Clearwater Fire & Rescue responded to the South Beach III Condos, located at 1460 Gulf Boulevard, shortly before 4 p.m. to assist in evacuating residents and assess the building’s safety.
Division Chief Jevon Graham of Clearwater Fire & Rescue stated that engineers found a split in a support column in the parking area on the first floor during ongoing renovations on the 12-story building.
The engineers deemed the structure unsafe and called first responders to begin evacuating it.
Fire rescue officials said 60 people were evacuated from the building and will be displaced all night. The Red Cross will assist those who need help with lodging.
Graham said crews are working to secure the split so the column doesn’t break down or collapse.
“It’s safe to be around it at this point, but they want to stabilize it to make sure,” Graham said.
Drone video from John Yanchoris/Sky Drones showed dozens of first responders parked outside the condo.
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