Parts of building facade fall, injure person in Downtown El Paso

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Part of a building facade fell on a person in Downtown El Paso Thursday, according to the City of El Paso. That person went to a hospital.

It happened just before noon. The El Paso Fire Department received a call about "an incident at a building near East San Antonio Avenue and North Mesa Street." ABC-7 saw the sidewalk across the street from the Fallas Parades (La Popular) building closed off.

The city said part of the building's eaves fell and injured the person, who went to a hospital with minor injuries. Eaves are the edges on a roof that extend past the outside walls of a building.

A bystander said he was eating lunch in the area when he heard part of the eaves fall. He heard the injured person "mumble that he was in pain."

The El Paso Police Department has blocked off the sidewalk in the immediate area. City staff are assessing the property for any safety concerns.

Code Enforcement and Planning and Inspections staff are assessing the property to decide what steps to take next.

Planning and Inspections staff said the property doesn't have active work permits. Staff said the building has been vacant and are reviewing the property's history.

Staff are trying to contact the property owner about the building's condition.