Building deemed unsafe after facade collapse in Quincy

QUINCY, Mass. — Quincy city leaders posted "building unsafe" signs after a facade collapse on Hancock Street Monday morning.

The deputy fire chief said the collapse ripped about 40-feet of the facade from the 690 Block, which houses eight businesses. Witnesses told police no one was on the sidewalk at the time - something of a miracle given the time of day the incident took place.

"This time of morning there is usually heavy foot traffic. There is a bus stop right at the corner. Of course, there is the donut shop. We usually have cars parked there. there were no cars parked. So fortunately we have no injuries," said Deputy Fire Chief Gary Smyth.

There was only one car parked in front of the block, a silver sedan owned by Hamed Alzubaidy, who was across the street grabbing coffee when he saw the bricks fall on top of his car.

One of the small businesses in the area is Alzubaidy's brothers restaurant, Falafel King. Though undamaged, Falafel King remains closed.

The owner of the family run take-out spot says even a short shut-down hurts businesses like his.

In fact, each of the businesses are facing unexpected days off for the time being.

Crews were tearing down the rest of the facade while structural engineers were expected to determine the integrity of the buildings.

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