It was quite a bit of activity in downtown Vandalia early this morning as part of one downtown building collapsed. Vandalia Police reports say that at 4:54 this morning they received a report of a possible fire in the 500 block of West Gallatin Street. Officers responded to the 500 block and found power lines down behind the building. The front window was busted out at 501 West Gallatin Street. Officers then discovered the roof had collapsed on 507 West Gallatin, causing damage to 507, 503, and 501 West Gallatin. Vandalia Police, Vandalia Fire Department, Vandalia Street Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and Mayor Rick Gottman all responded to the scene.
Speaking this morning, Vandalia Police Chief Jeff Ray says they got the call early this morning.
And, Chief Ray says there was no one hurt in the collapse.
The block of Gallatin Street, between 5th and 6th street, will remain closed to traffic until further notice. Vandalia Mayor Rick Gottman confirmed that part of the 3 story building on the north side of Gallatin Street in the 500 block collapse inward causing some issues for the buildings in that area. Mayor Gottman says the building owners have been made aware of the issue and the buildings will be off limits at this time. Mayor Gottman says he has contacted a structural engineer and Gottman says the engineer will determine whether the buildings are safe or not going forward. Mayor Gottman says the block of Gallatin Street, from 5th to 6th streets, will remain closed and the area on Gallatin and 5th in front of City Hall will only be partially open.