A contractor removed the brick facade of a vacant building at 313 W. Market St. in Pottsville Thursday after it had deteriorated recently.

“It’s an imminent safety hazard that needs to be addressed,” Pottsville Fire Chief James E. Misstishin Sr. said.

City street workers had placed orange barricades to block off the area about two weeks ago, Tom Whitaker, city superintendent of streets said.

“It’s bowing out away from the building. It’s just the brick facade it looks like,” Misstishin said.

Mayor James T. Muldowney and other city officials were notified Thursday after Misstishin noticed the bricks had moved, making the structure less safe.

An engineer was out to look at the building prior to the demolition, he said.

Muldowney signed an emergency declaration Thursday afternoon permitting the work.

“It’s an old building that was neglected by the owner,” Muldowney said.

The parcel locator lists the owner of the building as Bernard Poda of Branchdale.

“It will be quite expensive to demo it,” Muldowney said.

Quandel Construction did the work that started at 5 p.m., Misstishin said. Completion was possible Thursday so the 300 block of West Market Street would reopen to traffic, he said. Detours were provided earlier in the day.