A beam unexpectedly fell out of sequence in the Metrodome demolition Monday, bringing the teardown to a halt while investigators figure out what happened.
No one was injured and all debris fell within the demolition safety zone, so no passersby were at risk of injury, according to a statement from John Wood, a Mortenson Construction senior vice president.
Crews for St. Paul-based subcontractor Frattalone Companies were working to bring down a section of ring beam in the east-southeast section of the Dome about 1 p.m. when an adjacent section came down out of sequence. No equipment was damaged.
But the incident brought the demolition to a stop pending an investigation.
Demolition requires the same precise engineering as construction and carries similar risks. Surprises are not welcome.
Monday's unexpected collapse is visible from the street. Some nearby office workers reported hearing a boom. Others say they didn't hear one, but felt a vibration.
A Mortenson spokesman said it was too soon to say for certain when demolition would resume, but possibly later this week.
Since demolition began last month, the Metrodome's tumble into oblivion has been visible. The east side of the 32-year-old stadium has become a gaping hole. The Dome has been deflated and the building has become a shell.
