City working with property owner, insurance company on building collapse in downtown Nevada

Bill Erwin, in the rear, confers with workers about the cleanup process at a building at 121B E. Cherry St. that collapsed on Monday.

Nevada Daily Mail

Two days after a building used for storage collapsed at 121B E. Cherry, Niles hair salon, in an adjacent building, remains without power, but Ron Clow, city of Nevada building inspector, said he expects crews will clear away enough debris to allow workers to access the electrical service area affected and resolve that issue today.

The storage structure's roof failed Monday under the weight of ice and snow that struck the area on two consecutive weekends. When the structure fell, much of the debris fell to the south, severing a gas line. That gas leak called attention to the collapse, and several area businesses were evacuated for a little more than an hour while the situation was addressed and buildings were aired out. Clow said that as of this morning, two businesses remain without gas service, a condition he hopes will be remedied today as well.

In response to the incident, the alley accessing the building was barricaded to keep people from entering. Loose brick hung precariously on the wall of what was the second floor of the building, a condition that had to be remedied right away. Clow said that a contractor was hired who addressed that situation already.

When such an incident happens, insurance adjusters evaluate the situation. If the damage is more than 50 percent of the insured value, the city gets a portion of the insurance dollars to offset its cost. Clow said he has been in touch with the insurance company and with the building's owner, who lives in the state of California.

After the roof of the Clinton Elks Lodge collapsed in June, killing 32-year-old Tony Komer, the city conducted two meetings with downtown property owners, offering basic inspections, but Clow said there was little interest shown by property owners.

After Monday's incident, Clow said that some adjacent buildings that had some damage were looked over, noting that this is part of the city's ongoing efforts to help owners maintain the safety of buildings.