Additional section of building at 350 Prince Charles Drive experiences structural failure

Around 10 a.m. on February 26, a 911 call was placed indicating that more of the 350 Prince Charles Drive building had collapsed.

Welland Fire and Emergency Services were dispatched to the scene and reported no injuries. However, additional components of the building have endured structural failure. The additional failure occurred on the south side of the building, the same side of the building as the initial issue.

"The Ministry of Labour has control of the site and has prohibited anyone from accessing the building," said Jack Tosta, chief building official. "The ministry has jurisdiction to conduct an investigation to determine if the condition of the building is safe to allow access for further evaluation of the structural engineering components."

The cordoned-off area with security fencing is expanding out of an abundance of caution. The trail along the canal in the areas remains closed until further notice.

An initial structural failure occurred on February 18, and since that time, the Ministry of Labour has shut the site down for investigation. In addition, the City of Welland issued an Order to Remedy an Unsafe Building under the Building Code Act on February 19.

The cause of both incidents has not been determined.

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