The jobs of about 70 people are in jeopardy because of the building owners' failure to fix safety violations, officials said.

The owners of the building on the Fifth Street Highway in Muhlenberg Twp., Berks Co., which houses 25 separate businesses, have not moved fast enough to fix safety violations they've known about since 2009, said township officials.

The businesses were notified last week about a possible closure of the building, and some have already moved out.

"So, here we are in the 11th hour and there might be a deal and there might not be a deal," said Chad Rochotte, who owns Kustom Komponents inside the building and would be forced to move if it closes.

The business owners told 69 News the township slapped condemned signs on the building last Tuesday.

"It's like a cloud over the shop," said Melissa Seidel, who owns Metal Service of Temple Inc. "These guys don't know are we going to be closed, are the doors going to be locked. They have families they have to support."

According to the township engineer, the building, owned by a limited partnership, has several fire safety violations. The landlords have been warned numerous times about the violations, said the engineer, who added that the township was finally forced to threaten to close shop.

"I know they're doing it to put pressure on the landlord, but ultimately, the real victims are the manufacturers in here," said Rochotte.

Seidel's company is one of many businesses on the line.  She said being closed would cost her employees their jobs, and she would not be able to pick up and move.

"It's not an option," said Seidel. "I just want to keep these guys in work."

69 News spoke with Lee High, one of the landlords of the building, who said a proposal has been submitted to fix the violations. He will meet with the township Thursday morning.