Owner of collapsed Washington building cited in March

WASHINGTON, Pa. — The owner of a building in Washington that collapsed Wednesday morning, trapping a woman inside, was cited in March.

STORY: Woman trapped under refrigerator after building collapse in Washington

According to the citation, the owner failed to replace a failing wall that was cracked and not structurally sound.

Despite the citation, the owner, Mark Russo, told Channel 11's Aaron Martin that the property is in compliance.

“I'm in compliance. I had people working to deal with issues,” Russo said. “I never thought something like this would happen.”

TRENDING NOW:

• Person of interest in case of four missing men released on $1 million bail
• Army veteran killed in crash with state police vehicle
• VIDEO: Police: Shootout in Homewood critically injures man
• PHOTOS: Court sketches from Penn State fraternity hazing death (Day 2)

"Hopefully they'll get out of a dangerous situation," said Ron McIntyre, Washington's code enforcement officer. "Hopefully they can be put into a safer situation in the future and get the property safely demolished."

11 Investigates began searching for answers almost immediately online and in person at the courthouse in Washington.

"The property owner, Mark Russo, has been cited," McIntyre said. "I have been to court with him. He was given time to bring the property into compliance. However, he failed to do that and unfortunately we had this collapse."

But Russo paints a very different picture.

11 Investigates tracked him down and spoke to him by phone Wednesday afternoon.

Russo said he's fixed cracks in the walls and had a contractor recently examine the foundation of the building.

"I've been having people go there to work on the building," Russo said. "I'm in compliance."

Russo said his main concern is for the safety of the woman trapped inside the building.

He already had a court date next week over the problems with this building.

Cox Media Group