WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – A building partially collapsed Thursday in downtown Wilmington.
The Wilmington Fire Department says nobody was injured in the collapse at 205 Princess Street.
The WFD says the collapse was due to the excessive rain from Tropical Storm Debby.
The web design company, Brand Engine, is destroyed due to the partial collapse.
“It’s pretty bad,” said Justin Mitchener, the co-owner of Brand Engine. “Got a call this morning that said, ‘Don’t freak out, but the roof collapsed at Brand Engine.’”
WFD Batallion Chief Ryan Young says the storm was the final straw for the structure.
“It looks like the building already had some prior damage from other storms, but definitely, this storm did help do the most damage,” said Chief Young.
Mitchener says the prior damage, went ignored.
“It’s partially due to storm, it’s also due to neglect over 25 years and absentee ownership. This is owned by a judge in Robeson County. Over the years, we’ve sent multiple emails and pictures of flooding and damage and no work has been done,” said Mitchener.
This all leaves Brand Engine, without an engine for its business.
“Time is money, and I’m gonna spend months dealing with insurance…We’re missing equipment, and we pulled our computers and drives and backups from the office, but right now we don’t know what condition they’re in. Everything got wet, you know, everything,” said Mitchener.
But Mitchener says despite the damage and inches of standing water, he’s hopeful for the future.
“It’s somber. It’s very somber, but I’m optimistic,” said Mitchener. “There’ll be some building back, but it’s nothing we can’t handle, and you know, through the grace of having insurance, I think we’ll be all right.”
And after all, Mitchener says no one got hurt, and he’s thankful things can be replaced, whereas he knows people cannot.
Luckily, Mitchener says he and his business owner can work from home at this time, or will look for another place for their business.
WECT has reached out to the property rental company for comment from the building owner and is waiting to hear back.
This story is developing, and more details will be added as they become available.
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