Brick buildings are charming, but they’re a known danger during an earthquake. Unreinforced masonry (brick) buildings are especially dangerous if they haven’t been retrofitted.
Building codes in California have prohibited construction of new brick buildings since the 1930s, after a collapsing brick building in the 1933 Long Beach earthquake killed school children. However, brick buildings built before then might still be at risk, particularly if they have not been retrofitted. How do I know if my brick building is safe?