Potential building collapse on Railroad and Griffin | Aug. 27 update

Demolition expected on Wednesday, Aug. 28.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly reported that the collapsing building was “The red building between the abandoned car dealership and Rainier Beauty”. The building that is collapsing is the old Paulson building.

Aug. 28 update: Demolition was rescheduled to 1 p.m. today. Work was done inside the building at 7 a.m.

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Aug. 27: Griffin Avenue remains closed from Railroad Street to Cole Street, and Railroad Street is closed between Initial Avenue and Myrtle Avenue until further notice.

Emergency responders were dispatched yesterday at 2:15 p.m. to the Old Parson Building because the roof was bowing out over the sidewalk. According to the city of Enumclaw, the building was damaged due to a roof collapse.

At 6 p.m. the building was temporarily braced.

According to the Enumclaw Police Department, demolition is expected to occur tomorrow, Aug. 28, at around 7 a.m.

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Aug 26: A block of Railroad Street and Griffin Avenue is closed due to a possible building collapse.

The wall of the old Paulson building, formerly a car dealership, is bowing out at the top over the sidewalk, “So there is concern if its potential collapse,” said Enumclaw Police Department PIO Sarah Taylor at the scene.

A 75-foot buffer zone has been set up inside the road closure.

Multiple agencies have responded, including the Enumclaw Fire Department, Puget Sound Energy, the Department of Transportation (whether it’s state or county is unclear) and the Washington State Patrol.

It’s unknown how long the roads will be closed for.

How the building’s current state was discovered is unclear, but the initial report came from the city of Enumclaw.

This is an ongoing story and will be updated when more information is made public.

Multiple agencies have responded to a potential building collapse on Railroad Street and Griffin Avenue. Photo by Ray Miller-Still
Multiple agencies have responded to a potential building collapse on Railroad Street and Griffin Avenue. Photo by Ray Miller-Still

Multiple agencies have responded to a potential building collapse on Railroad Street and Griffin Avenue. Photo by Ray Miller-Still

The roof of the red building is bowing out, creating concerns over its structural integrity. Photo by Ray Miller-Still

The roof of the red building is bowing out, creating concerns over its structural integrity. Photo by Ray Miller-Still

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