Downtown Shreveport Building Collapses
By: Jenna Zibton
Updated: September 19, 2009
A building collapsed in the Shreveport Red River District Saturday night but it may not be the last of the destruction. It happened off Texas Street in the old Humphrees building.
Eyewitness and Sandbar owner Timothy Huck saw it happen from the roof of his bar. "It felt like the building got hit by a truck and I looked back and there was a cloud of smoke and walked back there and the building had collapsed."
"It's an old building that was weak. Perhaps all the rain we had might have put some additional weight on the roof that caused it to push in" says Shreveport Fire Department Assistant Chief David Dice.
But just two doors down at the Blind Tiger people eating dinner had no idea what just happened. They noticed when emergency workers arrived on the scene.
Fire officials say the entire building may have to be torn down. "It's a dangerous situation. It's not safe within 200 foot from the collapse zone at least" says Kip Mourad with the Shreveport Fire Department.
Business owners say the rest of the buildings are safe. "Most of the buildings around here are well kept up. That one had just been vacant a long time" says Huck.
A city engineer will decide if the building will be torn down.
Eyewitness and Sandbar owner Timothy Huck saw it happen from the roof of his bar. "It felt like the building got hit by a truck and I looked back and there was a cloud of smoke and walked back there and the building had collapsed."
"It's an old building that was weak. Perhaps all the rain we had might have put some additional weight on the roof that caused it to push in" says Shreveport Fire Department Assistant Chief David Dice.
But just two doors down at the Blind Tiger people eating dinner had no idea what just happened. They noticed when emergency workers arrived on the scene.
Fire officials say the entire building may have to be torn down. "It's a dangerous situation. It's not safe within 200 foot from the collapse zone at least" says Kip Mourad with the Shreveport Fire Department.
Business owners say the rest of the buildings are safe. "Most of the buildings around here are well kept up. That one had just been vacant a long time" says Huck.
A city engineer will decide if the building will be torn down.
