CLEARWATER, Fla. – The scene at the South Beach III Condominiums, 1460 Gulf Boulevard, was transitioned to a private contractor and engineer around 9 p.m. Tuesday as efforts to address structural concerns got underway.
Earlier in the day, Clearwater Police and Clearwater Fire & Rescue evacuated the 12-story building after cracks were discovered in a support pillar underneath the structure. As a precaution, approximately 60 residents were safely evacuated from the building, which authorities estimated to be about 40 percent occupied.
Clearwater firefighters and Pinellas County Technical Rescue team members remained on scene to assist the private contractors. They helped unload materials that the construction workers will utilize to stabilize the building. This critical work is expected to continue into Wednesday.
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The initial call regarding the structural concerns came in at approximately 3:55 p.m., prompting a swift response from Clearwater Police, Clearwater Fire & Rescue, and multiple neighboring fire departments, including the Pinellas County Technical Rescue Team. Personnel methodically went floor by floor to ensure the safe evacuation of all affected residents.
The American Red Cross was also on scene to provide assistance to those residents who require help with temporary lodging.
The focus now shifts to the stabilization process, and residents will remain evacuated until engineers determine the building is structurally sound and safe for re-occupancy.
Original Report: Clearwater Police and Clearwater Fire & Rescue are currently on scene at the South Beach III Condominiums, located at 1460 Gulf Boulevard, where they are evacuating all residents as a precautionary measure.
Authorities responded to the building following concerns about cracks discovered in a support pillar underneath the structure.
While no structural collapse has been reported, officials are taking the situation seriously and prioritizing the safety of the residents. Fire and police personnel are systematically going floor by floor to ensure a complete and safe evacuation of the building.
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Structural engineers are currently assessing the nature and extent of the cracks in the pillar. It is unclear at this time how long the evacuation will last, as authorities work to determine the building’s structural integrity and ensure it is safe for residents to return.
This is a developing story.
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