Part of historic NDSU building collapses

Part of a historic building on the North Dakota State campus has collapsed amid an ongoing expansion project.

A large section of the north side of Minard Hall gave way between midnight and 3 a.m. Sunday, leaving a gaping hole in the century-old building.

Campus facilities manager Bruce Franz told radio station KFGO that the four-story, brick building had been undergoing an expansion project over the last several weeks.

A construction crew had been excavating under the part of the building that collapsed.

Franz says the excavation likely weakened the soil there, causing the foundation to collapse.

Damage to Minard Hall is still being assessed. Campus officials have restricted access to the building, which houses classrooms and offices.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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