SWAMPSCOTT, MASS. (WHDH) - A seawall in Swampscott is in need of repairs after part of the structure collapsed into the ocean immediately below a nearby restaurant Thursday.
Though the restaurant’s owner said the building is safe, the incident prompted an evacuation and left the restaurant property hanging over the water.
“Thank goodness no one was hurt,” said Swampscott Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald. “You really got to count your lucky stars that this happened at a time where we didn’t have a lot of occupants in that building and everybody is safe.”
The owner of the popular oceanside restaurant “Mission on the Bay” said the seawall gave way during lunch Thursday afternoon while there were between 60 and 70 people inside either working or eating.
SKY7-HD was over the building on Humphrey Street just after 1 p.m., capturing video of the fence and railing surrounding the property hanging over the water after bricks and other debris fell into the ocean.
“I’m like, ‘Is that whole thing going to collapse next?’” said Krystal Naranjo, who walks in the area.
Mission on the Bay’s gas and electric services were shut off after this incident. The restaurant’s owner also said the building’s design puts no weight on the seawall, instead resting on pilings, granite and rocks.
The owner said there is now structural issue with the building.
Still, crews were racing to install a concrete patch and stabilize the seawall Thursday afternoon.
“Our major concern is that each successive tide is going to do a little bit more damage and cause a little bit more erosion,” said Swampscott Fire Chief Graham Archer.
As high tide will inevitably come and go, Fitzgerald said officials have also contacted the Army Corps of Engineers and will work on a long term solution.
The town of Swampscott has asked community members to stay away from the site of Thursday’s seawall collapse for the time being.
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