Historic Building Collapses In Chouteau

One of Chouteau's historic buildings is now just a pile of rubble.  

The old bank building collapsed at about 11 o'clock Wednesday night.  No one was hurt.

The building was constructed in the early 20th century and had housed numerous businesses through the years after the bank closed.

Ben Sherrer, an attorney who lives in Chouteau but practices in Pryor, had bought the building a few years ago and was preparing to restore it.  He says it appears the roof collapsed and pulled down most of the buildings' exterior walls.

He says the building was empty and thinks the heat might have played a role in the collapse.