She had a very close call, passing by a building at 1520 First Ave. S. seconds before a large section of its facade fell into the roadway.

On Monday evening, her husband, William Tasler, of Fort Dodge, spoke to the City Council about the seriousness of the situation He told the elected officials that if his wife’s vehicle had passed by that building just a few seconds later he would either be sitting in her hospital room or planning her funeral.

“I do promise we are not taking this lightly,” Mayor Matt Bemrich told him. “The city will respond appropriately. We will use the courts if necessary.”

A section of brick and masonry near the top of the five-story building fell at about 11:40 a.m. Saturday.

Security camera video from a business across the street showed that the facade fell just seconds after a westbound vehicle passed that building. That vehicle was driven by Ellen Tasler.

After the council meeting, William Tasler said his wife heard a loud noise. He said she looked in the rearview mirror and saw debris in the street.

“She figured that ain’t no good,” he said.

He said she drove to the firehouse, which is just northwest of the building, and told the firefighters what had happened.

William Tasler said there was no damage to her vehicle.

“She was far enough ahead that nothing happened,” he said.

City police and firefighters were on the scene almost immediately and closed the street.

First Avenue South between 15th and 16th streets remains closed. Part of 16th Street between Central Avenue and First Avenue South is also closed.

City Manager David Fierke said Monday that the building’s owner, Frank Hurdle, of Holly Springs, Mississippi, has been notified of the problem, but has not replied.

Fierke said the building will be inspected this week and all loose bricks will be removed. He said Hurdle will be charged for the city’s costs to do that.

Fierke said the streets will not be reopened until the inspection and removal of loose bricks is done.

After the council meeting, William Tasler said there are several buildings in town with bricks falling off.

“It seems like nothing ever gets done,” he said. “Is it going to take somebody to get killed?”