CUMBERLAND — Ten South End residents where displaced Friday night after a stolen vehicle struck a two-story residential building, according to Allegany County Special Operations Chief Derek Crippen.
“It was a residential structure with seven tenants on the second floor and three tenants on the first floor,” Crippen said. “The car was stolen and the occupants of the vehicle fled the scene before fire department units arrived.”
Crippen said it appears the car was traveling at a high rate of speed and the rear of the vehicle struck the building causing extensive damage at approximately 10:30 p.m. Friday.
The Allegany County Joint Communications Center took the first call reporting the incident in the area of 400 York Place, between East Fourth Street and West Industrial Boulevard, according to a center spokesperson.
Cumberland Fire Department Interim Chief Cody Pearce said the incident occurred at 15 E. Fourth St.
Cumberland and LaVale fire departments along with Allegany County Special Operations Collapse teams from Shaft and Bedford Road and the county EMS supervisor responded to the incident.
“Upon arrival, crews found significant structural damage to the brick building as a result of the impact,” Pearce said. “Firefighters secured the scene, shut off the natural gas service to the building and coordinated with Potomac Edison to secure electrical services.”
“Temporary and permanent shoring was placed to allow residents to retrieve some of their belongings and to prevent further damage to surrounding structures in the area,” Crippen said.
He added the city has closed Fourth Street between Arch and York streets while repairs are made.
Pearce added additional safety measures were taken due to concerns about the stability of the building’s exterior brick wall.
“Firefighters established a safety perimeter and restricted pedestrian access to the sidewalk area in front of the structure because portions of the masonry wall were determined to be unstable,” Pearce said.
The Cumberland Street Department assisted by closing the roadway in the area, according to Pearce.
“That area will be closed for several days because the building still has some unsupported brick,” Crippen said. “The city will have to work with the property owner to get that corrected.”
Special operations remained on the scene shoring the structure and assisting the tow company with removing the vehicle for approximately one hour, Crippen said.
The American Red Cross was requested to assist the displaced residents, according to the Joint Communications Center spokesperson.
No injuries were reported in the incident, Pearce said.
Ridgeley and Bowling Green volunteer fire departments relocated to Cumberland Fire Department headquarters on Bedford Street to provide coverage for the city while units were on the scene.
Cumberland Police Department declined to comment on the incident and said a press release would be issued.
Todd Bowman is a local and national journalist specializing in public safety news. Follow his work on all social media platforms @BreakingBowman.