Condemned Balcony Collapses in El Chorillo

The balcony of an old wooden home collapsed into the ground floor yesterday in El Chorillo after midnight.

The 15th street building is one of 35 condemned buildings in the area and housed eight families, or eighteen people.  Two people were left with fractured arms and torsos. Authorities have relocated four of the families to the La Estancia de Amador hostel until they figure out a relocation plan.

According to Betty Hinestroza, one of the residents, Ministry of Housing and Land Use officials assured them that they would reinforce the building.  Edwin Betancourt, the Ministry’s Director of Social Development, said that they can do nothing as it is a private property.

Ministry statistics indicate that 4,948 people live in 149 condemned homes in the metropolitan area.

Collapsed 15-14 Building Balcony, El Chorillo / PHOTO La Prensa

La Prensa reports.