SANTA CLARA — More than 60 residents were evacuated from a condo complex Saturday evening due to concerns that the building was at risk of collapsing, authorities said.
Structural engineers determined Sunday morning that the building was not in imminent danger of collapsing, but about 130 residents will remain displaced while repairs to parts of the building are made, according to a press release from the city of Santa Clara.
Around 6:47 p.m. Saturday, firefighters from the Santa Clara Fire Department responded to reports that Villa Bella, a 56-unit building located at 1850 El Camino Real, had displaced concrete, authorities said. Due to concerns that the building could be at risk of collapsing, its residents as well as 10 houses on Clay Street were designated a collapse zone and evacuated.
Villa Bella’s developer and homeowners’ association sent a team of structural engineers who worked with engineers employed by the city to assess the building, authorities said. The engineers determined that the building is “in no danger of imminent collapse” but does require repairs to shoring on its north side. Residents will not be allowed to reoccupy their residences until the repairs are complete.
Engineers were continuing their building assessment to determine whether unaffected sections of the building are safe to be reoccupied, authorities added.
The building’s developer will be responsible for overseeing the repairs to the building.
SCFD lifted the collapse zone perimeter Sunday, allowing residents of Clay Street to return to their residences.
Authorities also closed El Camino Real between Pierce Street and Scott Boulevard Saturday. The street’s westbound lanes reopened later in the night. The eastbound lanes were expected to reopen Sunday.
Residents of the building who evacuated Saturday are receiving assistance from SCFD to retrieve essential items, medications and pets, authorities added.
Residents who were evacuated were given the option to shelter at Santa Clara’s Community Recreation Center. Most residents evacuated Saturday organized their own accommodations, authorities said.
The city was working with the American Red Cross to provide resources to the building’s displaced residents, authorities said. That includes finding an alternative shelter location that is equipped with showers. The city is also urging residents to contact their insurance companies for additional assistance.
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