Superior apartment building partially collapses, severs gas meter
Apr. 18—SUPERIOR — A gas meter was severed Thursday after the Franklin Courts apartments partially collapsed, forcing the evacuation of the building and neighboring day care facility. No injuries were reported.
Children returned to Happy Hearts day care, 3605 E. Second St., shortly after the evacuation.
According to a news release from the Superior Fire Department, it responded to the collapse at 210 37th Ave. E. after a small portion of Franklin Courts collapsed and severed the gas meter feeding the building. Fire crews and the Superior Police Department evacuated the apartments and day care.
Crews from Superior Water, Light and Power were able to turn off the gas to the apartment building and the power to ensure the safety of crews on the scene, said Amy Rutledge, spokesperson for Allete.
Fire crews ventilated Franklin Courts and the building is being evaluated by a structural engineer to determine if it can be reoccupied. Most people were able to return home Thursday evening but two units near the collapsed area remained under evaluation, said Fire Chief Camron Vollbrecht.
This story was updated at 12:30 a.m. on April 19 with additional details. It was originally posted at 3:31 p.m. and was updated at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 18.
