Partial Building Collapse In North End Forces Evacuation

NORTH END, MA —A vacant building at 279 North St in the North End under construction had a partial collapse into the building. That collapse damaged the fire escape for the building next door, forcing residents in two condos there be evacuated early Saturday morning, according to fire department officials.

Why? You need two ways out of a building in case of an emergency. Since 57 Fleet St. did not have a second means of egress with the fire escape damaged, the building was evacuated, fire department officials said.

It's unclear how much damage happened to the North Street building. It's zoned for a four to six family apartment building and property was last assessed at $1.2 million, with the building itself being accessed at $796,400, according to city data.