Collapse risk causes evacuation of Seattle apartment building

SEATTLE — People in Seattle’s North Beacon Hill neighborhood were evacuated from their homes Saturday afternoon after reports that the building they live in was at risk of collapsing.

People living in the building were evacuated to a King County Metro bus, where they could keep warm and safe.

A structural engineer from the city’s Department of Construction and Inspections was requested to come and assess the building, located in the 2500 block of 15th Avenue South.

In a photo tweeted out by the Seattle Fire Department, it appears part of the façade was missing from the top of a section of the building.

At 5:09 p.m., fire officials said they were closing access to the building overnight as a precaution.

Residents were asked to speak with firefighters at the scene so that personal items could be gathered.

No additional information has been provided as to why officials were closing access overnight.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.