Christchurch's Grand Chancellor may be razed in 'dramatic explosion'
Civil Defence considers radical measures for the great leaning tower of Christchurch.
Civil Defence considers radical measures for the great leaning tower of Christchurch.
Civil Defence says Christchurch's Grand Chancellor hotel has to come down.
The hotel has been on a precipitous lean since the February quake.
This afternoon, Civil Defence national controller Steve Brazier told a press conference that the building "clearly is going to have to come down."
The 27-storey hotel could be taken down "in bits" or "in one fairly dramatic explosion," he said. "There's two clear alternatives and we're just looking now which is the best.
"Clearly, bringing it down in one explosion is faster but, of course, the concussion on the ground would have an effect on the buildings around the area."