CALGARY- Demolition is now underway on a downtown building that began crumbling last week, causing bricks to fall down onto cars parked in the street below.

The Genco building on 7 Street and 6 Ave. S.W. became a cause for concern on May 20 when a few bricks fell off. Then on Sunday, a section of bricks about six metres wide crashed down.

Calling it a “matter of imminent danger,” city officials have ordered the east side of the building to be demolished, and work got underway on Tuesday.

“You never see something like this,” said Jonathan Kenny, who was watching the crews dismantle the wall. “[They usually] implode them or they use a wrecking ball, this is more interesting. I think that’s fantastic.”

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Once all the bricks have been pulled out, the city will meet with the building’s owner to decide on the next step. In the mean time, interior walls will be built to seal the building floors from the open exterior facade.