Downtown Portland building evacuated as facade cracks

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Portland firefighters evacuated a downtown building Tuesday after its facade cracked and buckled.

Fire crews and structural engineers arrived shortly before noon to examine the 10-story building that houses employees from eBay, FedEx, a fitness center, a day care and Oregon Health & Science University. Workers reported hearing a bang before being told to evacuate.

Lt. Rich Chatman of the Portland Fire Bureau said it does not appear the building is in danger of collapse.

The building dates to 1951 and the crack is in its lower half.