Here is a warning to watch where you're walking, especially if you find yourself glued to your phone while strolling down the street.

On two separate occasions Tuesday, two individuals walked into a fire escape that had fallen lower than it usually hangs. A witness said both were looking at their phones as they walked into the structure, and one went to the hospital.

The Bradford Building sits on Scott Boulevard just north of Fourth Street across from the Gateway Center to the west and the Kenton County Administration Building to the north. It is currently vacant and sits in disrepair, though it is often mentioned as a target for potential redevelopment. After all, it is just half a block north of the Boone Block Building, a sprawling structure that was in similar shape but is now being turned into 9 luxury townhomes, five of which are already under contract.

It is named for Bradford Shinkle, son of 19th century Covington business leader Amos Shinkle.

On Tuesday, the fire escape on the north side of the building drifted closer to the sidewalk and two unknowing pedestrians walked right into it. Covington Police were dispatched shortly after 5 p.m. after the witness across the street saw the second person injured before heading to the hospital.

The nature of the injuries was not immediately known.

Data reported in the United States and the United Kingdom points to mobile phone use while walking as a factor in the increasing number of pedestrian injuries.

-Michael Monks, editor & publisher

Photo: Fire escape raised after falling closer to the ground at the Bradford Building (RCN)