Rose Towers demolition on Independence Day - ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports

Rose Towers demolition on Independence Day

Posted: Updated:
  • News HeadlinesNews Headlines

  • Friday, May 17 2013 11:17 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:17:33 GMT
    An inmate is on the loose in Etowah County.  The Sheriff's department says an inmate kitchen worker escaped the Etowah County Detention Center (ECDC) Friday morning.  Justin Wade Hopkins, 30, escaped from
    The Etowah County Sheriff's Office says an inmate kitchen worker escaped the Etowah County Detention Center Friday morning. 
TUSCALOOSA - AL -

A building that's been part of the University of Alabama skyline for more than 40 years is now a pile of rubble.  Rose Towers was leveled on July 4th.  Dozens of people showed up on the campus early this morning to watch the implosion.

The explosion was centered in the heart of the building.  The middle collapsed before the outer edges.  Debris was only expected no more than 30 feet outside the footprint of the building.

The 13 story dormitory has been on the northern edge of campus since 1969.  It was once the main housing for UA football players.  The demolition will make room for new student housing that will include apartments with common living rooms and community kitchens.

WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE IMPLOSION