Engineer Will Inspect Collapsed Ceiling Monday

A structural engineer is expected to inspect the collapsed exterior ceiling at 265 Monterey Rd. Monday, one day after a 30-foot chunk of stucco landed onto the balcony below, authorities said. 

Capt. Chris Szenczi of the South Pasadena Fire Department said two people were at home in the second-floor unit when the stucco crumbled to the ground, just before noon on Sunday. No one was injured, but firefighters did evacuate the units.

Based on the age of the three-story building -- it was built in 1966 -- it appears long-time termite and water damage could have loosed the stucco from old, rusted nails and aged wire mesh, he said. 

Szenczi described the hunk of stucco as 25-30 feet long and four-feet wide. It fell onto the main walkway, the long balcony, that runs the length of the building. It's the area where residents gain acess to their units, he said. 

Pasadena and Alhambra fire departments assissted in the response, as did urban search and rescue units. 

"We shored up what was remaining and a building engineer will inspect the complex today,'' Szenczi said Monday morning. 

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