Former BB&T offices in Wilson imploded

The seven-story structure on Nash Street North includes two buildings, built in 1971 and 1985. Wilson plans to replace them with a YMCA, apartments and a parking deck.

"Not only is this an implosion of an old building that has outlived its usefulness, but it’s also a wonderful story about the beginning of a new chapter," City Manager Grant Goings said.

Wilson officials planned the implosion for a year and hired demolition group D.H. Griffin to handle it.

"This is going to be a large event," said James Campbell, deputy chief of Wilson Fire Rescue Service. "Wilson has never had an implosion downtown before."

The public wasn’t allowed within a 1,000-foot radius of the blast site, and people living nearby had to leave the area before the 8 a.m. implosion.

"They have an option to go to somebody else’s place, or D.H. Griffin has an area for them to be in during that time-frame," said Campbell, whose team will monitor nearby water and gas lines.

Wilson officials encouraged people to stay home and watch the event live online.

"They did a test on Monday, and people from as far away as Airport Boulevard, which is about 5 miles away, could hear that blast," Campbell said, recommending ear protection for anyone nearby.

Depending on the winds, some residents could have plenty of dust to clean up later in the day, he added.

Crews will be cleaning up the site until at least 2 p.m., so some downtown streets may be closed off for much of the day, officials said.