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Buildings partially collapse in downtown Cloverdale
CLOVERDALE -- A popular local eatery is now closed for the indefinite future following a partial collapse in downtown Cloverdale.
At 12:55 p.m. Sunday afternoon, the Cloverdale Township Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the block containing Hatchet House Barbecue at 5 N. Main St. (U.S. 231) to find that part of the facade had fallen onto the street and sidewalk in front of the restaurant.
The Cloverdale Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and the Putnam County Emergency Management Agency were also soon on the scene as first responders got a handle on the situation.
CTVFD Lieutenant Brad Roberson told the Banner Graphic on the ground that nobody was believed to have been hurt, although he related that people were inside the restaurant at the time of the collapse. He was unaware of any damages to vehicles which might have passed by the buildings.
Roberson added that Cloverdale Building Inspector Wayne Galloway had been at the site to survey the damage. Galloway confirmed to the Banner Graphic Monday afternoon that there were no injuries or automobile damages, but that there were around 12 patrons inside Hatchet House Barbecue when the brick fell.
The adjacent Pizza Niche restaurant had a front window broken by falling debris, as well as some damage to the stone front. The former Hoosier Topics building, owned by John and Brenda Wood, was believed by Galloway to have sustained no damage. However, debris fell through the front of a vacant property owned by Pattie Martin, which is next to Hatchet House.
The Greencastle Fire Department was called to bring its ladder truck to assist with the ongoing investigation, and firefighters proceeded to tear down any remaining loose brick on the facade that was unstable.
Traffic was being redirected on U.S. 231 around the site as CPD and CTVFD blocked off the roadway following the incident. Galloway estimated that U.S. 231 was closed for approximately five hours until about 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Though the collapse is still under investigation, winds at approximately 55 mph which swept through the area Sunday were the predominate factor. Galloway believed that the strong gusts had been pushing on the outside awnings above the properties, until the top brick was weakened enough to fall.
Hatchet House Barbecue is owned by Allen and Jennifer Trumbo, who in turn lease the building from Terry White. The local spot opened last July and had become a staple in downtown Cloverdale.
The Trumbos provided in an interview with WTHR after the collapse that they and their patrons evacuated the building through the back of restaurant when the brick fell to the ground.
Galloway said that all the buildings’ owners have insurance; therefore, no conclusion on the incident’s cause can be determined until they have conducted their own independent investigations. As such, he could not provide a monetary estimate on the damages from the collapse.