Partial Roof Overhang Collapse At NW Miami-Dade Condo, Similar Collapse At Building A Month Ago
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - It's an unsettling coincidence at the Lakeview Garden Condominium where a second partial roof collapse occurred at one of its buildings Tuesday.
The same building, along NW 68th Avenue, had already been evacuated due to a partial collapse just one month ago where more than three dozen people were displaced, luckily no one hurt.
State Rep. Alex Rizo, House District 110, showed up to the northwest Miami-Dade complex to find out about the second collapse just about a half hour after it happened.
"I was on my way here in fact to speak to the association and find out what's taking so long because we have to make sure that the association takes that piece off that's peeling off the building," says Rizo.
WATCH DRONE VIDEO OF DAMAGE HERE:
Folks who were displaced weeks ago say things just keep getting worse.
Luis Sanchez, who lived on the second floor, is now living out of his car.
His apartment was ransacked just one week after the first collapse.
"They allowed us to get into the apartments twice, eight days ago and today," says Sanchez. "Eight days ago I could take a couple things but today when I come to my apartment, it was a burglary."
Sanchez says no one is watching the building that was deemed unsafe and made it a target for thieves.
"The gates of the condo are open permanently so there isn't any safety or security," says Sanchez.
The Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources did not determine the cause of the first collapse, but they reported that "our inspectors observed termite and water damage and signs of disrepair to the mansard roof that fell. While there are likely other hidden and latent conditions that are not observable, these are visual indicators that there were issues with the roof, which is expected in old buildings and in materials like wood that wear out over time."
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava says the building's roof could be torn down.
"Given that we are in the worst part of hurricane season and the roof presents a safety hazard to residents and nearby buildings, we are exploring all possible options including taking emergency action to demolish the remaining mansard roof and shore up the mansard roofs on the other buildings. If the Condo Association fails to act immediately as they have indicated, the County may pursue these or other emergency actions," the statement reads.
That stated, the Miami-Dade mayor's office told CBS4 News that the condo association told county officials that they have secured funding to make necessary repairs and plan to do so in the coming week.
The building was built in 1972 and was due for its 40-year recertification in 2012. It received it in 2015. It is due for its 50-year recertification next year.
