DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Demolition of the former Younkers department store building in Des Moines is beginning to get under way.
KCCI television reports (https://bit.ly/1jq1BuM ) crews are removing smaller pieces of the fire-gutted building by hand in an attempt to prevent walls from crashing down into other nearby buildings.
The first phase involves removal of the upper two levels of walls on the east side of building which sustained the most damage. That will take about six weeks.
After phase one engineers must decide if the 1899 building is sound enough to salvage or if it should be taken down to the ground.
It was in the midst of a $36 million housing project renovation when it was consumed by fire early March 29. It had been vacant since 2005.
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