Implosion of Hotel Damages Complex

The demolition of a downtown Seattle hotel went awry, and debris from the implosion crashed onto the street below, causing damage to a movie complex, trolley lines and street lights. No one was injured in the explosion-triggered collapse of the Waldorf Towers, which was built in 1903. Eleven blocks were cordoned off before the 9 a.m. implosion. The hotel was rigged to collapse within its site following detonation of 175 explosives loaded into the seven-story structure. Streets were blocked by debris, overhead power lines for electric buses were knocked down and at least two street lights and a traffic signal were wrecked.