By Kari Travis EIC | Echo
PHILADELPHIA-Dust and debris continue to cloud the air as crews end their rescue search and work to clear rubble from the site if the building that collapsed Wednesday in Center City.
The structure, which stood on the corner of 22nd Street and Market Street and housed a popular Salvation Army thrift store, is owned by New York investor Richard Basciano, who says he already planned to raze the building.
But yesterday's collapse was not a planned event.
With six dead and 13 injured as a result of the catastrophe, Philadelphia authorities now face questions about what caused the structure to crumble.
"We will fully investigate this tragedy," Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter wrote in a statement Thursday.
The mayor was not present at a scheduled Thursday evening press conference for presiding officials. Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers also declined to answer any questions about the ongoing investigation, and stated that the focus should be on comforting those families who have lost loved ones.(All photographs by Kari Travis)
