Delays in response to previous earthquake had fatal consequences.
The Christchurch City Council has been accused of delaying the demolition of two earthquake-crippled heritage buildings that collapsed, killing 12 people, in the February earthquake.
Fresh evidence presented to the Canterbury earthquakes royal commission yesterday also alleges at least one of the two damaged buildings was never fenced off after the September 2010 earthquake and subsequently collapsed, killing people.
The heritage building at 605 to 613 Colombo St fell on Red Bus 702 on February 22, killing eight people. The neighbouring building at 603 Colombo St collapsed, killing four pedestrians.
In a post-hearing discussion yesterday, commission lawyer Mark Zarifeh said evidence presented to the commission alleged the owners of 605 to 613 Colombo St met council officers on February 1 seeking to demolish the damaged building.
However, the owners were told the demolition would take longer because of its heritage status, he said.
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