The large building at the corner of Fourth and Center streets is being barricaded off because of a hole in the roof.

“We recently had the building inspected,” Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship said. “We sent the report to the Lawrence County Building Officer.”

The large hole was noticed from an aerial inspection, as you can’t see the hole from ground level, Blankenship said.

The sidewalk area around the building is blocked off because the tension on the roof may cause the building to collapse.

“It was recommended by the Lawrence County Building Code Enforcement to barricade the building off,” Blankenship said. “We are taking precautions.”

The owner of the building at 339 Center Street will have the option to get the building fixed or it will be demolished.