Remains of the Masonic Temple Remain Dangerous

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Even though it’s been weeks since fire destroyed the Masonic Temple building in downtown Zanesville, the rubble still smolders and the remaining structure continues to weaken.

Doug Merry, the Public Safety Director for the City of Zanesville described how dangerous the structure is and how demolition crews must stop their progress to clear people from the property.

“We really want people to stay out of the work zone,” Merry said. “It’s still very much under demolition and bricks come off, burnt wood comes off, the crew is working from behind the building, so they can’t see someone out in front. If they cut a steel beam and it drops and pushes bricks out of a window or over the side, they have no idea that there’s someone there.”

Merry said it’s ok if people want to watch as long as they stay behind the barricades and emphasized that it’s still private property.

“Removal of any property from that site is theft and going inside the actual taped off area is trespassing. So beside being susceptible to injury, they’re also susceptible to being arrested and charged with theft and trespassing,” Merry said. “We really don’t want to have to arrest anybody and we really don’t want anybody hurt. So far we’ve been lucky that no one’s been hurt or anything, so we want to keep it that way.”

Merry stated the city has received 10 to 12 calls from the demolition crew requesting police presence, along with the goal of having Fourth Street reopened by the end of the week.