Demolition is under way on a three-story brick building on Diamond Alley in Carnegie that was ravaged by fire early June 13.

The work began Saturday -- less than 24 hours after bricks fell from the structure and five days after borough officials declared it and two adjoining properties on Fifth Street and Third Avenue as public nuisances. Thirty-day condemnation notices had been sent June 27 to the owners of all three structures.

Nearby residents have been warned that the demolition work will create increased dust and some will have to vacate their homes for a short time during the actual razing.

Neighbors of the three properties in the borough's Irishtown neighborhood had complained about safety hazards at the past two council meetings. They expressed concern about unsupervised youths and former residents frequenting the sites, downed power lines and the possibility of summer storms causing additional collapse of the Diamond Alley building. The two abutting properties suffered fire damage but are considered to be repairable.

All three buildings were constructed in the early 20th century.

Workers for Tony Perri Contracting, the company that is taking down the Diamond Alley building, said they will be removing brickwork first before proceeding with actual demolition, a process that could take several weeks because of the proximity of the other structures and the congested neighborhood.

Carnegie police Chief Jeffrey Harbin said Monday that he believes the most dangerous situation will be alleviated when the bricks from the third floor of the Diamond Alley building are removed.

He said a nearby resident has repeatedly heard the sound of falling bricks since the fire and on Friday heard a loud crash when bricks fell about 4 p.m.

Perri Contracting began the demolition process after receiving a written letter on Saturday from borough officials that was signed by the mayor.