The Olympian Chester Derry of Olympia dismantles the damaged chimney at his home on 18th Avenue Southeast on Monday. Post-earthquake South Sound has acquired its own set of miniature Leaning Towers of Pisa.
Homeowners also face less obvious problems, such as interior damage and fire hazards.
Taking them down After coming home to a notice from the city of Olympia, homeowner Chester Derry climbed onto the roof of his home on 18th Avenue to dismantle a furnace chimney. Actually, the top is still solid. It's coming apart, piece by piece. South Capitol homes have a bumper crop of crumbling chimneys. Busy masons are scrambling to inspect chimneys and offer temporary fixes to restore safety.