Wall Collapses at Finn McCool's on East Butler Ave. in Ambler

This story is being published for interest for readers of Montgomeryville-Lansdale Patch.

Update 5:08 p.m.

Ambler Borough Manager Mary Aversa told Patch that the only damage was done to the building and no one was injured in the partial collapse.

Finn McCool's rents the bottom floor of the building at 34 E Butler Ave. in Ambler. The upper floors of the building are not rented out.

As of 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aversa told Patch that they were waiting for a structural engineer to assess the building, as well as PECO electric and gas.

PECO was needed to turn off the power to the building, as well as snip the hanging power lines. The gas meter is located under the rubble and needs to be turned off, as well.

A temporary fence will be used to secure the perimeter of the building and the borough is closing the Finn McCool’s and Kimmel and Silverman parking lots on Wednesday. Borough Police Chief William Foley recommends that those who park in those two lots, park in the Cavalier parking lot on Wednesday. He added that ticketing will not occur in the Cavalier lot on Wednesday.

Spring Garden St. will be closed tonight from Butler to the back of Finn McCool’s to through traffic and pedestrian traffic.

Finn McCool’s will not be open until it is certified safe by the structural engineer and that the building is structurally sound.

The cause of the partial collapse is still unknown.

Original story follows:

Reports of a wall collapsing at local tavern came in just after 2:30 p.m. today via Twitter from @MontcoAlerts.

Ambler Patch editor Leann Pettit is on the scene. An officer on the scene reports that no one was injured in the collapse and the debris just missed hitting a parked car. The car had to be towed from the scene because the owner could not be located.

A bartender was in the historical building at the time of the incident, but the upstairs rooms were vacant. The bar was open and serving lunch, but most patrons were enjoying the outside patio when the wall collapsed. 

Pictures show a portion of the exterior wall in the upper floors of the building falling away to the ground. The cause and extent of the damage is unclear. 

Check back with Ambler Patch for updates as information becomes available.