Press release
This morning at about 6:30 a.m., the rear wall of the Williams Opera House, located at 16 Exchange Street in the Village of Attica began to collapse due to the high winds the region began experiencing. The Williams Opera House is a three story, brick an masonry construction built about 1879. The extent of damage became evident at day break. A large section of masonry and brick rear wall collapsed into the building. When this occurred the second floor in the rear of the building also collapsed onto the first floor. A vehicle parked behind the Williams Opera House was damaged and the owner notified.
All though only a portion of the rear wall is damaged the structural integrity of the building is compromised. Wyoming Building Code Enforcement as well as the property owner are on location and plans to reinforce the structural integrity of the damaged wall and building are under way. The Village of Attica Public Works employees are setting up barricades and securing a safe zone around the building. Wyoming County Building Code Enforcement has temporarily condemned the building for human occupancy. All utilities to the building have been terminated.
Until the building can be made structurally safe, everyone must stay out of the exclusion zone set up in the rear of the building. Any questions or concerns please contact the Village of Attica Police Department at 585-591-0881 or the Village Office at 585-591-0898.
Assisting at the scene and support services are Attica Fire Chief Paul O’Neil. Mayor Nathan Montford, Wyoming County Emergency Services, Village Administrator Doug Post, Village of Attica Department of Public Works, the building owner and Wyoming County Building Code Enforcement.