Post by scannerman5555 on Jul 14, 2005 11:22:39 GMT -5
New York City
Baby and 4 others hurt in Manhattan building collapse
Building collapse
Building collapse (AP Photo/John Smock)
Jul 14, 2005
NYNewsday.com and wire reports
July 14, 2005, 10:59 AM EDT
At least five people, including an infant, were injured Thursday morning when a former supermarket building being razed in upper Manhattan collapsed, police said. A firefighter also suffered a broken ankle during the rescue.
It was not immediately known how much of the building, at West 100th Street and Broadway, came down shortly after 9 a.m.
"I stepped out of my building and I heard a loud boom," said Racquel Gayle, who said she was about a half a block from the site when the collapse happened.
"Everything rocked. I thought it was a terrorist bomb, people were running everywhere. I saw them pull a baby out of the debris; everyone was pitching in and helping, but I stood frozen in fear.
I've never seen anything like this." The former Gristedes supermarket was being demolished to make room for a hi-rise when part of the remaining structure collapsed, said Fire Department spokesman Frank Gribbon.
He said fire officials believe there were no others trapped in the debris, but dozens of rescue workers and a number of dogs continued sifting through the rubble.
He said 25 construction workers at the site were all accounted for.
Dora Kalbouros, a police department spokeswoman, said a child was among the five people pulled out of the rubble.
They were taken to St. Luke's-Roosevelt hospital with undetermined injuries, but Gribbon indicated most of those injured suffered broken bones. The child was believed to be in stable condition, Gribbon said, although it was not immediately clear how the baby was injured.
The injured firefighter also was taken to the hospital, he said.
Several city transit lines were disrupted after the collapse. The No. 1 train was suspended in both directions between 42nd and 137th streets.
The No. 3 train was suspended in both directions between Chambers and 148th streets, and the No. 2 train was running on the No. 5 line between 149th and Nevins streets.
The M104 bus was detoured in both directions on to West End Street from 96th Street to 106th Street.
The building was the former site of a Gristede's supermarket, which had closed recently. Developers had planned to build a high-rise residential building, which had been the focus of controversy in the neighborhood.
Just last night, community activists and Perkins had held a meeting to discuss opposition to the development plans.
At least 30 fire department units responded to the collapse.
Gristedes spokesman Gerald McKelvey said the building was closed in April and was sold to the Carlyle Group.
Residents have opposed the plan to build a skyscraper on the site of the former supermarket, and have held ongoing protests.
[/img]http://www.nynewsday.com/media/photo/2005-07/18474471.jpg
www.nynewsday.com/media/photo/2005-07/18474471.jpg[/img]
Baby and 4 others hurt in Manhattan building collapse
Building collapse
Building collapse (AP Photo/John Smock)
Jul 14, 2005
NYNewsday.com and wire reports
July 14, 2005, 10:59 AM EDT
At least five people, including an infant, were injured Thursday morning when a former supermarket building being razed in upper Manhattan collapsed, police said. A firefighter also suffered a broken ankle during the rescue.
It was not immediately known how much of the building, at West 100th Street and Broadway, came down shortly after 9 a.m.
"I stepped out of my building and I heard a loud boom," said Racquel Gayle, who said she was about a half a block from the site when the collapse happened.
"Everything rocked. I thought it was a terrorist bomb, people were running everywhere. I saw them pull a baby out of the debris; everyone was pitching in and helping, but I stood frozen in fear.
I've never seen anything like this." The former Gristedes supermarket was being demolished to make room for a hi-rise when part of the remaining structure collapsed, said Fire Department spokesman Frank Gribbon.
He said fire officials believe there were no others trapped in the debris, but dozens of rescue workers and a number of dogs continued sifting through the rubble.
He said 25 construction workers at the site were all accounted for.
Dora Kalbouros, a police department spokeswoman, said a child was among the five people pulled out of the rubble.
They were taken to St. Luke's-Roosevelt hospital with undetermined injuries, but Gribbon indicated most of those injured suffered broken bones. The child was believed to be in stable condition, Gribbon said, although it was not immediately clear how the baby was injured.
The injured firefighter also was taken to the hospital, he said.
Several city transit lines were disrupted after the collapse. The No. 1 train was suspended in both directions between 42nd and 137th streets.
The No. 3 train was suspended in both directions between Chambers and 148th streets, and the No. 2 train was running on the No. 5 line between 149th and Nevins streets.
The M104 bus was detoured in both directions on to West End Street from 96th Street to 106th Street.
The building was the former site of a Gristede's supermarket, which had closed recently. Developers had planned to build a high-rise residential building, which had been the focus of controversy in the neighborhood.
Just last night, community activists and Perkins had held a meeting to discuss opposition to the development plans.
At least 30 fire department units responded to the collapse.
Gristedes spokesman Gerald McKelvey said the building was closed in April and was sold to the Carlyle Group.
Residents have opposed the plan to build a skyscraper on the site of the former supermarket, and have held ongoing protests.
[/img]http://www.nynewsday.com/media/photo/2005-07/18474471.jpg
www.nynewsday.com/media/photo/2005-07/18474471.jpg[/img]