Building collapse blocks off a portion of Lincolnway West

SOUTH BEND — One lane of  Lincolnway West was blocked after a building collapsed.  The collapse happened around 1 a.m. Monday morning near Sherman Street and Lincolnway West.

A fire official says that the building was old and the rain may have aided in the collapse.

According to the battalion chief, the west side of the building put pressure on the outside wall and it blew out into the street.

Neighbors said the building was falling apart for years.

Lincolnway West is restricted to two lanes, one lane each direction, because of the collapse.