It's twisted and leaning, but the former Kaier Brewery building, the century-old industrial behemoth in Mahanoy City, is giving work crews all they can handle in early attempts at razing the structure. The complex includes a main tower reaching more than 100 feet high.

In a sense, the demolition procedure is a study in contrasts. Bricks fell easily at the swipe of a crane's clamshell jaws. But steel girders supporting the framework appear to be stubborn and strong.

A project that was estimated at taking "either two hours or two days," according to guesswork by a demolition expert, might just take the full two days, or longer.

Making the site safe is a priority, say officials, and so the former headquarters of the Kaier dynasty must be gone, the sooner the better.

"The building is unstable," said Mahanoy City Fire Lt. David Truskowsky.

Nearly 20 residents of the neighborhood have been evacuated since Tuesday and are anxious to get back in their homes.

See the TImes News for details.