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FDNY: Building Collapse Claims Life Of 1 Of 5 Workers Rescued

By Christopher J. Naum, SFPE on Nov 09, 2011 with Comments 0

Robert Mecea/Associated Press

A five-story building under construction suddenly came down on Monday afternoon in Brooklyn, New York. Three workers became trapped under the rubble after the top two floors fell onto the third, sending it all crashing to the ground, officials said. Published reports indicate that the likelihood of the weight of the concrete caused the 3rd floor to collapse onto the 2nd floor, resulting in a catastrophic and sequential progressive floor collapse.

FDNY companies searched through the pile of concrete, pulling five workers out. Investigators said concrete being poured between the metal pillars buckled the building.

The building, at 2929 Brighton Fifth Street, near Neptune Avenue (Brooklyn) fell just before 2:30 p.m. A concrete worker on the site stated according to reports that the collapse happened immediately after concrete from his truck was pumped up onto the second and third floors of the building.

Four workers were in the building at the time of the collapse, and one was in front of the building. The one in front refused medical attention. Firefighters said the framework of the building had been erected, but not much else. Removing the men from the rubble was a delicate and difficult process because of the risk of further collapse. Even after the men were removed, a large piece of corrugated metal hung in front of the building.