ALTON - Around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2026, emergency services responded to a call about a possible building collapse at 2426 East Broadway, Alton. The incident was initially dispatched by the Alton Police Department following reports of structural concerns.
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Alton Police arrived on the scene after receiving a call and reported hearing a rumbling sound coming from the building. Officers observed and felt the building shaking on the east side, specifically in the laundromat, at approximately 45-second intervals.
As a precaution, Alton Police evacuated all occupants, including customers and tenants, from the building.
The Alton Fire Department responded with a full crew led by Battalion Chief Derrick Richardson to the call about a building. The first fire officer on scene confirmed the police's observations regarding the rumbling and shaking. The fire department promptly notified other relevant agencies, including Ameren Gas & Electric, Public Works, and City Code Enforcement, to assist with the situation. The building owner was also contacted and arrived at the scene.
All vehicles and personnel were positioned outside the designated collapse zone for safety. Alton Fire deployed a drone to survey the property, but did not identify any immediate concerns.
Firefighter Droste is one of the Alton Fire Department's drone specialists. Safety zones and quadrants were established to prevent unauthorized entry. The gas supply was shut off by Alton Fire as a precaution until Ameren Gas arrived. Notably, after shutting off the gas, both the rumble noise and the building shaking ceased.
Ameren Gas conducted a thorough inspection of the property, including all appliances, rooms, and the gas meter, and found no abnormal readings. Nonetheless, as a safety measure, Alton Fire ensured that both the gas and electricity services were shut off. City Code Enforcement was requested to close the business and the entire building. Public Works erected barricades to keep pedestrians away from the property.
The entire property remains closed with caution tape around it until the building owner arranges for a structural engineer to inspect the premises and the City Code Enforcement provides clearance that it is safe to reoccupy.
