ST. MARYS — News Center 7’s I-Team has uncovered new information about the deadly building collapse in Auglaize County last month.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00 and 6:00, two men were working on repairs at a building along East Spring Street when it gave way on July 31.
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Christopher R. Brown, 41, of St. Marys, was killed.
>>RELATED: 1 dead, another hurt after building collapse in St. Marys
News Center 7’s I-Team learned that the work happening when the building collapsed was not properly permitted.
The building’s owner hired them and previously told the I-Team he knew about structural problems before the collapse.
Rob England is the Chief Building Official for the Miami County Department of Development, but his work takes him all over the Miami Valley.
“We handle all building regulations for Miami, Darke, Mercer, Auglaize, and Shelby counties,” England said.
The department is responsible for inspecting the buildings in the City of St. Marys.
“We’re under contract with the City of St. Marys to do the building inspection for new construction,” England said. “Or new repairs to commercial buildings.”
“Once a certificate of occupancy has been issued or if it’s an existing building, that is the authority of the fire department,” England added.
Kevin Sharp, the worker who survived the collapse that killed his friend, previously told News Center 7’s John Bedell that they were working to shore up a wall so a mason contractor could repair it.
England told the I-Team that his department investigated the work being done when the building caved.
“The owner should have, or the contractor absolutely should have, contacted us to get the repairs approved before he even started them,” he said.
England confirmed that there were no permits for the work that eventually killed Brown.
St. Marys Fire Chief Doug Ayers previously confirmed to the I-Team that he inspected the building in October after hearing safety concerns from a citizen.
During those inspections, he noticed and documented structural concerns.
“And we had talked to the building owner about that, and he was supposed to be taking care of it,” Ayers said.
As the I-Team has previously reported, Ayers told News Center 7 that when his department transferred to a new records management system, it lost some property information from 2024 – including his inspection records of the building along East Spring Street from last October. Ayers added that the department is working to recover the records through possible backups.
“I can’t comment on anything with the City of St. Marys or the Fire Department up there,” England said.
OSHA is investigating the deadly collapse. On the day of the collapse, St. Marys Fire Chief Doug Ayers told News Center 7 Sharp and Brown were working for the building owner, Todd Klosterman.
“OSHA was notified because these two gentlemen that were involved, they were hired,” Ayers said. “So because they were contracted, OSHA was involved.”
News Center 7 asked who Sharp and Brown were hired by, and Ayers said “the building owner.”
News Center 7 reached out to the federal agency for comment, and we’re waiting to hear back.
The St. Marys Police Department also confirmed that they are investigating the collapse; however, information on what exactly is being looked at wasn’t immediately available.
Auglaize County Prosecutor Ben Elder said he had a “preliminary” discussion with the interim chief shortly after the collapse about “how to proceed”
News Center 7’s John Bedell called Klosterman on Friday, but he didn’t want to provide a comment.
St. Marys Mayor, Joe Hurlburt Jr., emailed Bedell unsolicited late Thursday afternoon. “John, (WHIO staff),” Hurlburt began the email. “The incident at 305 E. Spring St. is currently under investigation. And as a result, it would be inappropriate for the administration, including the police and fire departments, to comment further until the investigation is completed. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families affected by the tragedy.”
We will continue to follow this story.
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