Straight-line winds seriously damaged the old Newell Paper Company Building yesterday afternoon.

The exterior cinderblock wall of the building, which is currently used for storage by the Demopolis Water Department, came crumbling down at approximately 3:30 p.m.

“The building just started shaking,” said Joe Morris, a Demopolis Utilities employee who was in the building at the time of the wall’s collapse.

“I could hear something that sounded like something hitting the wall. I think it was the power line outside. … Before I knew it, the wall was gone.”

The Demopolis Police Department remained on the scene through the night to secure the contents of the building.