A structural engineering firm arrived at the Rialto apartments at 7 a.m. Friday to inspect the building after cracks forced more than 300 people to evacuate the day before. Their job is to evaluate how severe the damage is, and whether it’s safe to let people back into part or all of the building.If it’s not, they have to come up with a plan to repair it.It started when a woman called for help saying she couldn’t open her door. It turned out several people had the same problem.Firefighters found cracks in the wall and hallways. Several doors had to be broken to free people from their apartments. A county building inspector found signs of instability and recommended the building be evacuated. People grabbed what they could and went to find another place to stay.WESH 2 talked to one man who left with basically nothing.”I have to wait in line, I think I’m early enough, so it’s not too long today. But I just want to get a few things that I need and have a good chill weekend, and be honest with you, hope for the best,” said Neil Baboush. “There’s nothing you can do.”The Orange County Building Safety Division said this about the history of inspections of the building: “Orange County’s Division of Building Safety conducted all required inspections during the construction of the apartment complex in 2013 and 2014. Under the International Property Maintenance Code, ongoing maintenance of the property is the responsibility of the owner.Orange County enforces these codes when violations are identified; however, routine maintenance inspections are not conducted unless initiated by a complaint or as part of another inspection on the property.The Division of Building Safety was not made aware of any structural concerns at this property until the early morning of March 19, when the County was notified of a 911 call by Orange County Fire Rescue.Building Safety has required the property owner to retain a Florida-licensed engineer or architect to conduct a comprehensive structural evaluation. This assessment will determine whether the building is safe for occupancy, identify the cause of the damage, and outline any necessary repairs.”

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —

A structural engineering firm arrived at the Rialto apartments at 7 a.m. Friday to inspect the building after cracks forced more than 300 people to evacuate the day before.

Their job is to evaluate how severe the damage is, and whether it’s safe to let people back into part or all of the building.

If it’s not, they have to come up with a plan to repair it.

It started when a woman called for help saying she couldn’t open her door. It turned out several people had the same problem.

Firefighters found cracks in the wall and hallways. Several doors had to be broken to free people from their apartments.

A county building inspector found signs of instability and recommended the building be evacuated.

People grabbed what they could and went to find another place to stay.

WESH 2 talked to one man who left with basically nothing.

“I have to wait in line, I think I’m early enough, so it’s not too long today. But I just want to get a few things that I need and have a good chill weekend, and be honest with you, hope for the best,” said Neil Baboush. “There’s nothing you can do.”

The Orange County Building Safety Division said this about the history of inspections of the building:

“Orange County’s Division of Building Safety conducted all required inspections during the construction of the apartment complex in 2013 and 2014. Under the International Property Maintenance Code, ongoing maintenance of the property is the responsibility of the owner.

Orange County enforces these codes when violations are identified; however, routine maintenance inspections are not conducted unless initiated by a complaint or as part of another inspection on the property.

The Division of Building Safety was not made aware of any structural concerns at this property until the early morning of March 19, when the County was notified of a 911 call by Orange County Fire Rescue.

Building Safety has required the property owner to retain a Florida-licensed engineer or architect to conduct a comprehensive structural evaluation. This assessment will determine whether the building is safe for occupancy, identify the cause of the damage, and outline any necessary repairs.”