Questions remain after partial building collapse in Eastie

BOSTON — Some East Boston businesses are trying to get back to normal after a nearby building started to collapse over the weekend, forcing dozens to evacuate the area.

Now business owners are wondering when they can reopen.

Yellow tape still surrounds a block where several businesses sit, and it's unknown if or when customers can cross the tape.

Heavy machinery was brought in Monday to tear down a compromised structure at the corner of Paris and Winthrop Streets.

"They told us it was going to collapse," East Boston resident Alejandra said. "We didn't know if it was going to come this way or that way."

It was her 10 year old son who told her about a crashing sound he heard shortly before noon Sunday.

Turns out, a building under renovation was crumbling down into an alley in between the properties.

Officials were worried the entire structure could topple over.

Alejandra said she grabbed her son, some belongings and spent the night at a relative's house.

In all, 28 people had to evacuate. They were allowed to return Monday but some without power and water.

"It was just brick with nothing to hold it in," John Delprato said. "I'm surprised it lasted that long and didn't come down sooner."

This East Boston neighborhood isn't the one who got a scare.

In the Back Bay Monday, a chimney collapsed on Beacon Street.

WATCH: Crews successfully demolish Eastie building after partial collapse

Sky 25 was over the scene where video showed damage to the roof.

Pictures from the Boston Fire Department showed what the damage looks like from the inside.

MORE: Chimney collapse under investigation in Back Bay

No one was hurt but an investigation is underway to figure out what caused it to collapse.

City records showed there was a demolition permit in place prior to Sunday’s East Boston collapse, but work hadn’t been started to take it down.

Power and electricity were restored to most of the area by 8:30 Monday night.

Cox Media Group