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'Heavy wind' apparent factor in house collapse
A house on Milwaukee's north side partially collapsed on Friday afternoon, March 13. It happened near 24th and Locust.
MILWAUKEE - A house on Milwaukee's north side partially collapsed on Friday afternoon, March 13.
What we know:
It happened near 24th and Locust. Albert Hill, the property owner, said he wanted to turn the house into affordable housing. He was six months into a renovation project.
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"This is just a total loss, kind of, in my eyesight, but I'm happy that we had insurance," he said. "I'm hurt, a lot of money down the drain if you look at it…it will be like starting all over."
The Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services said the house had a foundation problem, and it appears the "heavy wind" lifted the foundation off the support jacks that workers were using to conduct repairs.
Southeast Wisconsin wind gusts deliver damage Friday
Powerful wind gusts caused problems and led to serious damage across southeast Wisconsin on Friday, March 13.
"I never knew nothing like this, I thought that my contractor would be more aware than this," he said.
The house was empty at the time. When it went down, it hit the house next door. No injuries were reported.
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"I was devastated, and I also was concerned about my neighbors next door to me because my house had hit their house and cracked their basement wall as well," said Hill.
What's next:
DNS said crews are working on a partial demolition to make the partially collapsed house safe for the time being and to stop any more pieces from falling. Crews will return next week to complete the demolition.
The scene is dangerous, and DNS asked the public not to approach or get close to the property.
The Source: FOX6 News went to the scene and spoke to the property owner.