Centennial Mills Crews Drop Water Tower in Controlled Blast, Starting 2-Week Demolition Push
Updated
Updated · KATU · Aug 18
Centennial Mills Crews Drop Water Tower in Controlled Blast, Starting 2-Week Demolition Push
3 articles · Updated · KATU · Aug 18
Summary
A controlled blast toppled the Centennial Mills water tower into the burned warehouse shell, completing the first step in dismantling the fire-damaged Portland riverfront site.
More than 2 weeks after the Aug. 2 fire left the structure at risk of sudden collapse, crews said the remaining building is still too unstable to enter and will be taken down gradually from the top.
Portland officials expect at least another 2 weeks before the area can reopen, with progress dependent on how the outer walls respond as a high-reach excavator removes the remaining sections.
Investigators still cannot verify or recover possible human remains flagged by K9 teams until unstable hazards are cleared, while debris and ash cleanup continues at nearby homes, businesses, roads and parks.