Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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  • A large section of the still-smoking shell of the old Libby Building in downtown Welch collapsed, falling onto the roof of the adjacent office of the Southern Insurance Company in the early hours of Thursday morning. Staff photo by Jon Bolt

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January 27, 2012

Partial collapse in Welch: Debris from fire-damaged Libby Building falls onto adjacent structure

By CHARLES OWENS Bluefield Daily Telegraph

WELCH — — History continues to crumble in downtown Welch.

A portion of the five-story Libby Building collapsed early Thursday morning with the debris falling onto the adjacent Southern Insurance Agency structure on McDowell Street. No injuries were reported in the 4:30 a.m. collapse.

City officials say there is still a danger of more of the building collapsing.

“We have the whole area blocked off, and we are re-routing traffic,” City Attorney Danny Barie said. “There is still a danger to anyone on foot or car.”

Barie said a portion of the historic Libby Building fell onto the roof of the two-story  insurance agency — causing significant damage to the building.

“About a third of the roof of Southern Insurance is collapsed now,” Barie said. “When the debris from the Libby Building fell on Southern Insurance, the force (of the impact) blew out the front glass windows.”

Barie said city officials are hoping to fast track the demolition of the remainder of the Libby Building.

“The city’s position now — and we’ve contacted a majority of our council members to get their viewpoint and their authorization — and the consensus is the building has to come down,” Barie said. “If we have to bear the cost initially to do that — we will. But we are seeking ways to recover that cost with any insurance coverage we can get on that building, and any help we can get from the state. But public safety issues outweigh the costs now.”

A fire of unknown origin destroyed the Libby Building Tuesday. The structure, which is more than 70 years old, housed 13 apartments and two businesses, a bar and a vacant storefront. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the state fire marshal’s office.

Barie said the American Red Cross and the Safe Housing and Economic Development office in Welch are working to help relocate the 10 families who were displaced by the fire.

Also Thursday, the Bluefield Union Mission’s Action Team in Welch was deployed to provide disaster relief assistance to meet the emergency needs of those impacted by the apartment fire, according to mission director Craig Hammond.

Hammond said temporary housing, clothing, furniture, food and personal items are just some of the things being offered to ensure the emergency needs of the victims are met. Hammond said all disaster assistance is free, and is paid for by donations from the region’s citizens and places of worship.

Hammond said the mission’s branch office (known as The Marshall House) at 409 Virginia Avenue in Welch is staffed and stands ready to accept applications from those directly impacted by the Libby Building fire and other isolated disasters. The mission is currently helping four of the residents with shelter, clothing, food, and transportation. Fire victims are urged to apply in person or call 304-436-4092 for assistance.

The city of Bluefield also announced Thursday that it was temporarily suspending Bluefield Area Transit routes in McDowell County due to the downtown detour until Monday.

City crews continue to monitor the building in the event of an additional collapse.

“The Libby Building itself is pretty much entirely gutted,” Barie said. “What we are working on now is the demolition of the building. We are obtaining quotes on an emergency basis.”

Barie said he didn’t know the extent of the damage to the Southern Insurance Agency building, and if the structure could be repaired.

“I’m not a contractor, but with my limited knowledge of just looking at this things - I think it can,” Barie said. “But the Southern Insurance building shares a wall with the Libby Building for some length. I don’t know how much of a wall it shares with Libby but that’s always a problem.”

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com



 

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