A wall connecting two derelict old buildings in Bucharest's Old Town fell on Sunday, July 7, but there were no victims, as a Police team had managed to block the street just before the wall fell (in opening pic). The team, which was patrolling on Lipscani street, heard the noise made by several beams while falling, and decided to close down Lipscani street, otherwise one of the crowded streets of the Old Town. Several terraces are located just near the buildings whose wall collapsed. One of the buildings only has a facade left, without any other support, and could collapse any time.

Both buildings at Lipscani 72 and 74 are tagged historic buildings, and one of them is co-owned by several people, while the other one belongs to the Archbishopy, according to the media. The owners of the two buildings were called for a meeting with the Emergency Situations Team and City Hall representatives on Monday, July 8, and they could be fined for not taking proper care of the buildings.

This comes soon after another building collapsed in the Old Town in May, again without any casualties. The remains of that building are still to be found on the street (in picture above), and the area has been secured with the Police's yellow tape. A Police car parked nearby watches the area.

The building at Blanari number 6, which collapsed in May, was a historic building, dating back to 1884, hence it was illegal to demolish it. It used to serve as shelter for homeless people, but nobody had been there for months. The adjoining building at number 4 is a private property and revamping construction work was underway, with approval from the Bucharest City Hall. The report based on which the approval was issued stated that work would not affect the resistance and stability of adjoining buildings, at number 2 and 6. The building at number 6 is owned by the Municipality, and the Bucharest City Hall plans to sue the owner of the adjoining building, whose construction work caused the collapse.

Back then, Bucharest mayor Sorin Oprescu said he will ask the Prime Minister to change the legislation so as to be able to expropriate buildings which are left derelict and which could become dangerous for citizens. Many other buildings in the Old Town are in a similar situation, despite the recent improvements in the area, which has become the number one destination for restaurants and night life in Bucharest. Since demolition of historic buildings is not allowed, owners prefer to let buildings fall apart by themselves, before building something else on the land.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo: Corina Chirileasa/Romania-Insider.com)