Late Sunday afternoon, a section of The Davenport Apartments collapsed into the parking lot behind the building. One man who was visiting a friend, Paul Stephenson, says it was like a bomb going off.
"If you go toward the elevators you couldn't see so he said man let's go this way. We go there and there was no smoke there or anything and we went down the stairs and we went to safety. We came out the back end right there."
They and others were able to escape, with a few minor injuries, but eight had to be rescued by the fire department. One person had to be pulled from the rubble and is hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported so far.
Mayor Mike Matson credits Davenport's first responders for helping the residents get out safely.
"Because of the response and because of the concern for life by our first responders to get in the building, knowing that that building was unsafe, to help folks, I can't stress how because of that they saved lives."
The Red Cross is coordinating help for the victims.
City officials say The Davenport is unsound and will be demolished. Meanwhile, because of the risk of further collapse, they urge people to avoid the area.
The City of Davenport also says people who want to make donations to those in need can do so through the Quad Cities Community Foundation or through the Salvation Army.
The community foundation has opened its Quad Cities Disaster Recovery fund to assist residents who have been displaced. Those wishing to donate to the fund can do so at www.qccommunityfoundation.org/qcdisasterrecovery
The Davenport Salvation Army will collect donations for residents that have been displaced. Donations may be dropped off at 4001 North Brady Street.
