Home’s wall collapse leads to closure of U.S. 40 section

A Dublin veteran lost his home shortly after 5 p.m. Friday, July 12, when a wall collapsed as he and a neighbor were inside visiting.
Marvin Schroeder narrowly escaped injury, as did his visitor, Patricia McDaniel, who owns an antique shop across the street.
Local emergency responders said the home would have to be torn down as soon as possible, even later Friday night, if a demolition crew could be found to take on the job.
U.S. 40 was closed for several blocks east and west of the home along the National Road at the intersection of Davis and Cumberland streets. Traffic was rerouted to prevent any future injuries to passersby.
Yellow caution tape stretched across the highway around light poles.
Nathan Ulerick, Dublin’s assistant fire chief, said that stretch of U.S. 40 could not be reopened until the home was brought to a safe position.
Representatives from Indiana’s highway department were on scene to assess the situation as well as first responders from a variety of local agencies.
A representative of the American Red Cross of Wayne and Union counties was in touch with Schroeder shortly after the incident to discuss finding him temporary shelter, although Schroeder decided to stay at the scene in the meantime to watch the proceedings.
Friends who came to offer support said they hope the community will come together to help Schroeder as his future needs are determined. Responders told Schroeder that the home was too structurally unsafe for his possessions to be rescued.
First responders on the scene included Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, Wayne County Emergency Management Agency, Cambridge City Police Department, Hagerstown Police Department, Cambridge City Fire Department, Dublin Fire Department and Reid EMS.
To find more photos and read more about Schroeder’s experience and memories of the residential and former commercial building from local residents, please see the July 17 edition of Western Wayne News.