Structural engineers: Vjesnik skyscraper still dangerous, no one can enter

After today’s inspection of the burned Vjesnik skyscraper, structural engineers have determined that the building still presents danger to people so for now no one can enter it, and this situation will continue until next week, when another analysis will follow.

Special advisor to the Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets Dr. Dominik Skokandić said that the Ministry takes and will take all actions to start rehabilitating the consequences of the fire as soon as possible.

“Right now, the priority is the safety of all citizens and firefighters - upon completely extinguishing the fire and conducting an analysis, further steps to secure the space will be determined. It is too soon to speak about potential demolition of the skyscraper - the decision will be made after all examinations have been completed,” Skokandić said, also thanking all emergency responders and construction experts for their support.

Structural engineer Mario Uroš said that the Vjesnik skyscraper was examined this morning, firstly using drones outside all visible structural elements, which secured the space and enabled structural engineers to enter and examine the interior of the very building in more detail.

“The conclusion is that the building remains in such a condition that no one can enter it,” Uroš pointed out.

Fire brigades, he added, did 99% of the work. The remaining 1% refers only to residual smoke that will die down and settle relatively quickly, and they can still count on water cannons if necessary.

He also said the temperature inside the skyscraper is still high, not as it was during the fire, but it will take some time before it reduces to room temperature. The columns and load-bearing elements are still warm and, as long as that is the case, safety cannot be guaranteed nor can any service be let into the building, he emphasised.

They need, he says, at least a few more days to see whether the cracks appearing in some columns will continue to spread. He specified that the damage is visible, but there is also invisible damage, since these elements were exposed to very high temperatures.

“The concrete has lost some of its strength, floors 8, 9, 15 and 16 have burned down completely. This is also reflected in the concrete colour and many other indicators, other elements on these floors have also burned down completely. It is actually horrific. It all looked very, very bad because the high temperature lasted for a very long time,” Uroš described.

In the coming days, the space will be monitored to secure access to the building as soon as possible

In the coming days, the space will be monitored to ensure emergency repairs and clearing as soon as possible, i.e. to even be able to access the building and to allow all services to do their jobs, including inspection.

Uroš also said that there are still pockets inside the building which are warm and hot as the concrete, and it all needs to cool down before assessment. The following week we should have at least a preliminary plan of what to do next, he pointed out.

By then, part of Slavonska avenija remains closed for traffic.

“This is solely for the safety of all road users, to protect them from a flying piece of glass hitting someone’s car, head, bike. We are truly taking all the necessary measures to protect all road users, anyone who passes by the Vjesnik skyscraper, as much as possible,” Deputy Head of the City Office for Local Self-Government, Civil Protection and Safety Marko Vezlek said.

He pointed out that traffic wardens and police officers are stationed at surrounding intersections to ensure better traffic flow, but citizens also have to be aware that no measures can compensate for the 100,000 vehicles normally passing Slavonska avenija each day.

He invited citizens to use public transport as much as possible and to be understanding because this is an “exceptional occurrence”.

He also added that it is too soon to speak about any kind of fate of the Vjesnik skyscraper.

Related news:

• Fire in the Vjesnik skyscraper still not extinguished
• Minister Bačić called emergency meeting to determine further steps after the fire in Vjesnik skyscraper
• Fire in Zagreb's Vjesnik

Source: HINA
 

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