No deaths reported in Iowa apartment collapse; rescuers still at work

May 29 (UPI) -- Rescuers at the scene of a collapsed apartment building in Davenport, Iowa, have found no bodies and there have not yet been any credible reports of missing persons, authorities said Monday.

One person was rescued from the rubble of the Landmark Apartments in city's downtown area about 12 hours after a section of the structure collapsed, Davenport Fire Chief Mike Carlsten said in an early morning update.

He said that while state officials have deployed cadaver-sniffing dogs in an effort to find victims amid the debris, no bodies have yet been discovered and authorities have yet to receive any reports of missing persons.

Rescuers expected to wrap up their efforts later on the Memorial Day holiday.

The person rescued was hospitalized and the person's condition was not immediately available, the fire chief said.

The entire back of the apartment building on 324 Main Street collapsed shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday, with responders initially rescuing seven people from the joint residential-commercial structure with a dozen others having self-evacuated, authorities said during an evening press conference before building.

The cause of the collapse was under investigation with the number of people unaccounted for unknown. Carlsten told reporters that some occupants received treatment for injuries and that debris continued to fall amid the initial search of the structure.

Davenport Mayor Mike Matson said conflicting initial reports prompted worries that some people were unaccounted but clarified Monday that there were no "credible" reports of missing persons.

A reunification center has been established at the nearby St. Anthony's Church.

Carlsten said a "large" natural gas leak was discovery following the collapse and water was leaking through all floors of the structure.

Rick Oswald, the city's director of development and neighborhood, told reporters that work was being done to repair exterior brick of the building when it collapsed. He added that the owners had received permits for the project over reports of bricks falling from the building earlier in the week.

"The tenants of this building are pretty active. They've called the city numerous times for complaints," he said.

Matson said he has been in contact with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds who has "offered all assistance."

The American Red Cross of Illinois said it was assisting residences of the building find accommodations.