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[Update] Building Collapse In West Harlem Traps Three Workers, Killing One
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 22, 2012
Modified Mar 22, 2012
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By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 22, 2012
Modified Mar 22, 2012
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[UPDATE BELOW] A one story commercial building collapsed this morning just before 8 a.m., according to an FDNY spokesperson. Three people were initially trapped in the collapse, which occurred at West 130th Street near Broadway. The FDNY says two people have been removed, but as of 8:40 a.m. one was still trapped. One of the victims was rushed to St. Luke's hospital in serious condition, and another is being evaluated.
It's unclear what caused the collapse—an initial report over the wires indicated this was a construction site, but that has not yet been confirmed. The NYC Office of Emergency Management says to expect traffic delays in the area. We'll update as more information becomes available.
Update 9:14 a.m.: The FDNY tells us the third victim has been removed in very serious condition, in cardiac arrest. Initial reports indicate this victim has died, but the FDNY press office could not confirm this. The two other workers are now both listed in serious condition.
Update 12:17 p.m.: The FDNY has confirmed that the third worker was alive when he was rescued from the rubble, but subsequently died at the hospital. The other two victims are still listed in critical condition. DNAinfo reports that the collapse occurred at "a violation-plagued building recently bought by Columbia University" at 604-606 W. 131st Street. The property, according to the DOB was an old warehouse dating back to 1915, and the Columbia University website Bwog suspects the building was purchased as part of the school's controversial Manhattanville expansion.
There was a partial stop work order at the site, and the construction company, Breeze National Inc. of Brooklyn, was cited by the DOB earlier this month for failing to notify the department about the beginning of demolition work and for workers not wearing safety harnesses.
In the aftermath of the collapse, Manhattan Borough President and presumptive mayoral candidate Scott Stringer issued a statement saying, "I am greatly concerned by the building collapse this morning at 606 W. 131st Street that resulted in the death of one construction worker and injuries to two others during the course of demolition work.
“The Department of Buildings posted a March 5 building code violation for this structure on its website, relating to a failure to safeguard all persons and property affected by demolition activities, and for demolition without a permit. There was also a complaint today about vibrations and structural stability at the site.
“I am calling on DOB to immediately mount a full investigation into the cause of this tragedy. Our hearts go out to the construction workers and their families, and I also want to thank our Emergency Responders for getting to the scene as quickly as they did."
Tagged
building collapse
harlem
west harlem
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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