Fairfield building torn down

After learning earlier in the day the building was structurally unsound and in danger of collapse, yesterday Fairfield law enforcement closed off the streets around the Tribune Printing Company at 101 W. Briggs Ave. at approximately 3 p.m. Law enforcement set up a fence around the perimeter to prevent pedestrians from getting too close to the building.

Just before 5 p.m., an excavator arrived on the scene and began demolishing the building as firefighters examined the building?s roof from high atop their stand in an aerial fire truck. Demolition of the building stopped at 5 p.m. after most of the east exterior wall and much of the roof had been taken down.

According to a press release from Timoth W. Dille, Jefferson County Attorney, a gas leak was reported coming from the printing company shortly after the first emergency reswponse units arrived.

Demolition of the building will resume as soon as the owner of the building can coordinate with his insurance company to have adjusters survey the damage, said the release.