After a piece of the brickwork facing fell from Pennsylvania Power & Light Co.'s building at 10th and Hamilton streets Friday (1/19), the company has closed the sidewalk around the building to pedestrians as a precaution.

"Although only a small piece of brickwork fell from the front of the building where the roof meets the side of the building," said Don Bernhard, PP&L's Allentown area community development director, "we cordoned off the area as a precaution until an engineer can assess the condition of the rest of the brick facing."

The City of Allentown was notified of the situation, which apparently was caused by moisture accumulating in back of the facing and alternately freezing and thawing.

"The freeze/thaw cycle, followed by Friday's heavy rain, apparently caused the brick piece to loosen and fall," Bernhard said. Repairs will be completed as soon as possible.