About 250 residents of Fay Towers, an 11-story highrise building for the elderly on the edge of Gilpin Court in downtown Richmond, were evacuated this afternoon after reports of buckling bricks and a damaged stairwell.
The facility at 1201 N. 1st St. is owned and managed by the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. About 400 people were evacuated, including residents, staff and visitors.
Three people were taken to local hospitals for treatment of chest pains and respiratory problems, RRHA officials said. Twelve others were evaluated at the scene. RRHA officials said no one was injured.
Residents will be allowed to return to their apartments today, city officials said.
The building was evacuated about 2 p.m. after a report of a buckled stairwell. The fire department did a walkaround and saw multiple areas where the building's brickwork appeared to be buckled, said Richmond fire Lt. Shawn L. Jones.
Many residents were taken to the Calhoun Center on edge of Gilpin Court while the city's building inspector evaluated Fay Towers.
Frankie Quarles, a resident who lives on the 11th floor, said, "I mean, it shook. Scared the heck out of me."
For more on this story, see tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch.
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