Two construction workers were injured last week in North Philadelphia when the row house on which they were working crumbled. Because the crumbling of the house on Boston Street near 9th caused the two men, ages 51 and 41, to be trapped inside, the fire department was called to the construction accident. After firefighters assisted in removing the workers from the building both men were taken to Temple University Hospital for treatment. Neither of the men working at the row house had the required building permit.

This was the third case of a building crumbling in the city in the past week. Other buildings meeting the same fate were a three-story apartment building in South Philadelphia and the Frankfort church located at Griscom and Orthodox. The apartment building collapse damaged a car parked near the structure. No injuries were reported in either of these episodes.

Heavy rains are in part being blamed for the collapses of the three older buildings. According to Fox 29 weather producer Harry Holmes, Philadelphia is experiencing the rainiest August on record. Measurements indicate over a foot of rain has fallen since the month began.

Thankfully, the men injured when the row house collapsed did not sustain life-threatening injuries. Maura Kennedy, spokeswoman for the city's Department of Licenses & Inspections ordered the owner have the structure evaluated. A violation notice was also ordered for working without a permit.

Ms. Kennedy reminds all homeowners that it is important to watch for signs that your home may not be structurally sound. These signs include cracked and bowed walls, and crumbling facades.

Source

Philly.com: "2 freed from fallen house, 3rd collapse of week," Dana DiFilippo, Aug. 20, 2011