DAVENPORT, Iowa — Days after the partial building collapse at 324 Main St., the City of Davenport says it is still working to provide more details about the disaster.
Several questions remain unanswered, and News 8 is working to break down those questions. This story will be updated as we learn more about the situation.
Has anyone died?
On Monday, the City confirmed that all three missing men have been found dead following the collapse. Their names are:
- Branden Colvin.
- Ryan Hitchcock.
- Daniel Prien.
What has the City of Davenport said about the collapse?
The City of Davenport created a page on its website for documents related to the collapse on Wednesday evening, more details can be found here.
A multi-agency resource center at the Davenport YMCA was created on Wednesday to help those impacted by the collapse get the help they need. That address is 630 E.4th St. Those seeking help should bring proof of address and a photo ID.
On Saturday, 15 organizations will come together to help displaced residents and businesses impacted by the collapse. Here are the details for the resource center:
- When | Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Where | Downtown Davenport Bitner YMCA | 630 E. 4th Street, Davenport, IA
- What | The Red Cross and partners will be providing resources and assistance to those affected as they plan next steps in their recovery. Those seeking assistance are asked to please bring proof of address and photo ID if available. For questions, please call (571) 562-1254.
Residents can directly contact either organization with the following information:
- Red Cross | 1-800-REDCROSS.
- Salvation Army | 100 Kirkwood Blvd | 563-324-4808 | Open 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Tuesday-Friday this week.
St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, located at 417 N Main St. in Davenport, is serving as a reunification point with the Red Cross and medics at the location to assist.
The Red Cross has moved its shelter to 1111 W. Kimberly Road in Davenport. The entrance to the shelter is located on the Marquette Street side of the building. Beginning on Wednesday at noon, those affected by the building collapse can go to this new location for information, a safe place to stay, meals, phone charging stations, health and mental health services and one-on-one support.
Pets are welcome at the shelter; residents must make sure they have a pet carrier, food and other necessary pet supplies if possible. Red Cross is also looking for volunteers to help, click/tap here for more information.
Where can donations be made/dropped off?
Those who would like to donate to those residents can make donations through the Quad Cities Community Foundation or the Salvation Army.
Davenport Salvation Army will be assisting in the collection of donations for residents that have been displaced. Donations may be dropped off at 4001 North Brady Street.
Who owns the building?
According to Scott County records, the building is owned by Davenport Hotel LLC, which links back to an individual named Andrew Wold. The owner of the property has been served with a notice and order for the demolition of the building.
According to the Associated Press, a working phone number for Wold was not immediately available Sunday night and attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful. News 8's attempts to contact Wold were unsuccessful as well.
The City of Davenport fined Wold on Tuesday for failing to maintain the building before the collapse. He will appear in court on June 8 to pay the $300 fine and $95 in court fees.
On Thursday, Mayor Mike Matson said the timeline for demolition is uncertain, but the City is working on finding experts to help demolish the building in a "very dignified and respectful way."
"Believe me, we understand the significance of this tragedy and the significance and the terrible sadness that the families are going through for their unaccounted relatives," Matson said. "Understanding that there's a possibility, as you heard the chief say, a strong possibility that this is a resting place. There is no other focus for us and my guidance and everybody else's focus has been the same and will continue to be the same. When we do this, this has to be done in that manner."
Watch more coverage of the collapse on News 8's YouTube channel
Why did the building collapse?
The official cause of the collapse is unknown at this time.
Rich Oswald, City of Davenport director of development and neighborhood services, said at a news conference Sunday that work was being done on the building’s exterior at the time of the collapse.
Reports of bricks falling from the building earlier this week were part of that work and the building’s owner had a permit for the project, Oswald said.
How many people were rescued?
Fire Chief Michael Carlsten said workers searched for survivors throughout the night and rescued one person from the six-story building — bringing the total number of people rescued by fire officials to eight. An additional 12 people were escorted out by fire crews when they first responded to the collapse on Sunday evening.
How many people lived there?
News 8 confirmed with the City that 54 people lived in the building at the time of the collapse.
Who all helped in the rescue?
Davenport mayor Mike Matson reported that 27 different emergency response teams and companies combined in the response effort.
The Cedar Rapids division of Iowa Task Force 1 arrived overnight Sunday and began additional rescue operations assisted by canine units. Some dogs specialize in live rescues, others are cadaver dogs. A total of six dogs have been on the scene.
The companies that responded are as follows:
- Davenport Fire
- Davenport Police
- Davenport Public Works
- Davenport Development Neighborhood Services
- Bettendorf Fire
- Moline Fire
- Rock Island Fire
- Rock Island Arsenal Fire
- Iowa Task Force 1
- MABAS 43
- MABAS 39
- Orthopedic Specialists
- UnityPoint Health-Trinity
- Genesis Hospitals
- Med Force
- Scott County Emergency Management
- Scott County Emergency Communications
- Scott County GIS
- Scott County Health
- Bettendorf Police
- Scott County Sheriff
- Iowa State Patrol
- American Red Cross
- Shive Hattery
- MidAmerican Energy
- Iowa American Water
- Valley Construction