Photos by Bill Roberson

PORTLAND, Ore. - Leaking water, possibly from a burst water pipe damaged by recent cold weather, weakened a hillside flanking the Interstate 84 freeway near the Lloyd Center Monday afternoon, sending part of a large building sliding down the embankment.

Emergency crews were on the scene of the mudslide, which left the rest of the structure perched precariously above nearby freight train tracks and MAX light rail tracks.

• Close-up shots from the scene
• Jet Ranger 2 video
• More photos and videos from the scene

The slide happened just after noon at 11 N.E. 21st Street, where it crosses I-84. The slide took place at one end of the overpass and is not affecting I-84 traffic, the freight rail line or the nearby MAX light rail tracks.

According to Lt. Allen Oswalt with the Portland Fire Bureau, it appears that water had been running in the building, which appears to be vacant, for some time. The water weakened the foundation, causing the building to sag and break away.

A small rivulet of water trickled down the hill in the slide area as crews worked at the scene.

A large sign with a phone number advertised the building as available for rent. A person answering at the number said he was heading to the site to assess the damage. He did not say if any part of the building was currently occupied.

Lt. Oswalt said the land is still moving and the building could collapse. Gas, water and electrical have been shut off to the building as a precaution. Firefighters will remain on the scene until the stability of the building is determined.

No rail or freeway traffic was affected by the slide, but numerous emergency vehicles on the Northeast 21st Street overpass slowed traffic. No lanes were blocked.

The hillside near the building is occasionally used by homeless persons as a campsite but it did not appear that anyone had been camped out near the slide area.