One worker was killed Friday morning when an NYC building being renovated collapsed, trapping at least one other person inside.
More than 60 firefighters and other emergency personnel responded around 10:30 a.m. EST Friday when a five-story building at
25 West 38th St. collapsed, the New York Post reported. A witness, who asked not to be identified, told the Post it looked as if the top two stories of the building caved in.
"All I heard were people screaming and yelling. The two top floors collapsed and people are still trapped," the man said. "Every injured person is still in there. The guy in charge was screaming for everyone to get out."
About 19 workers were reportedly inside the building at the time of the collapse, a source told the Post. At around 1 p.m., the New York City Fire Department tweeted that one seriously injured person was still trapped in the rubble, although emergency personnel were able to treat some of his injuries.
DNA Info reported that two of the construction workers involved in the collapse worked for Northeast Interiors Specialist. The building, owned by Fortuna Realty Group, was scheduled for a complete demolition. In its place, the Aloft New York Midtown Hotel by Starwood Hotels was scheduled to open on the site in fall of 2016.
"I saw three workers, guys running up the block toward the construction site, then I stepped out and saw some dust coming out from the open construction site," Joseph Maldonado, 63, a security guard nearby, told DNA Info. "When I saw the police dogs I knew someone got hurt seriously. I was worried."
Many went online to make sure their loved ones working near the building were OK. Some also posted about how often they feel as if there's a building collapse in New York City.
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