Eye doctor’s office damaged

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

A car accident Monday has closed a Charleroi doctor’s office indefinitely due to apparent structural damage.

According to Charleroi fire Chief Bob Whiten Jr., a car struck the front of 305 McKean Ave. around 3:30 p.m.  The bricks at the front of the building were pushed in and the walls and ceiling inside the waiting area of the office of ophthalmologist Dr. Lawrence Gipson buckled, Whiten said.

“We had to shore up the inside and the borough called the commercial building code inspector. Until he comes in, the building can’t be used,” Whiten said.

Whiten said the fire department was afraid to remove any of the bricks from the front of the building for fear it would cause the steel supports to collapse and create further damage.

Whiten said there was moderate damage to the vehicle and neither the driver nor anyone in the office was injured. 

Charleroi Regional Police responded, along with the Charleroi fire department. The building is owned by Monongahela Valley Hospital, which also sent a representative to the scene to assess the damage, Whiten said.