According to authorities, part of the 7th floor facade of Lindley Towers began crumbling around 10:30 Wednesday morning.
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"It sounded like a bomb went off," said Jason Freeman who lives near the building.
Up to 100 residents who live in the building were evacuated, police said. They were allowed to go back into the building in small groups to retrieve items they might need because the building will remain closed.
"The plan is they will not reoccupy the building tonight," said Dominic Mireles, with the Office of Emergency Management.
Residents were seen carrying bags, suitcases and animals out of the building.
"I was able to grab three bags and my two cats and that was it," said Lilian Brown, who lives at Lindley Towers.
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A structural engineer and the department of licensing and inspections are evaluating the structural integrity of the building.
"Somebody has got to come down here and do something about these people," said Tamika Dover, who lives at Lindley Towers. "They got to place us somewhere. They got to give us somewhere to live."
No injuries have been reported.
The American Red Cross is helping displaced residents.
A shelter will be open for displaced residents at Samuel Fels High School, located at 5500 Langdon Street in Philadelphia beginning at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Residents should use the gym entrance. Pets are welcome.
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The Red Cross said 36 residents and 11 pets spent Wednesday night in the shelter.
"As a reminder - anyone displaced from Lindley Towers who needs a place to stay, or needs information or services, should come to the shelter at Samuel Fels. Residents are asked to use the gym entrance and pets are welcome," the Red Cross said.
Action News has learned the building was cited for nearly 200 violations by the Dept. of Licenses and Inspections, but city officials said those violations were not for structural problems.
This incident was reported around the same time a building in the city's Kensington collapsed.
Fire crews said a three-story rowhouse, with a pizza shop on the ground floor and apartments above, was destroyed at Memphis and York streets.