By REUTERS
Mark Makela for The New York Times
A Building Collapse in Philadelphia: Reuters footage of a building collapse Wednesday in the Center City section.
PHILADELPHIA — Rescue workers searched Thursday for any survivors from the collapse of a four-story building onto an adjacent thrift store in Philadephia, which killed at least six people and injured at least 14 others, city officials said.
One wall of the building collapsed about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday during demolition work, sending bricks and other debris thundering into the Salvation Army store. Mayor Michael A. Nutter confirmed at a news conference late Wednesday that five women and one man, all found in the rubble of the thrift store, had died. He gave no further details about the deaths, and said a search was continuing.
A 61-year-old woman was pulled out alive after being trapped for more than 12 hours, officials said. She was in critical condition at a local hospital.
Thirteen others escaped with only minor injuries, officials said.
“We still don’t know how many people were inside the thrift store or possibly on the sidewal,” when the collapse occurred, the mayor said.
The cause of the collapse, which occurred on Market Street near 22nd Street, was not immediately known. Several government agencies, including the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, will investigate.
The building’s permits were in order, and no violations were listed against it, said Carlton Williams, Philadelphia’s commissioner of licenses and inspections. He identified the owner as STB Investments of New York, and said city authorities had contacted the company.
A demolition permit for the building was issued in February, Mr. Williams said.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Nutter stood across Market Street from where about 125 firefighters searched piles of bricks, shattered wood and broken concrete, and said it was “incredible” that some people had escaped relatively unharmed.
“Search and rescue will continue until we have uncovered everything that we can possibly uncover,” Mr. Nutter told reporters at the time. He described the search-and-rescue operation as “delicate, dangerous work.”
Late Wednesday, Commissioner Ayers said rescue workers had about 40 percent of the debris remaining to search.
Despite severe damage to the thrift store, two walls remained standing and some items of clothing were still hanging in the window facing Market Street as dozens of firefighters streamed in and out.
Mr. Nutter said the authorities did not know how many people had been in the thrift store when the wall collapsed. Asked whether it was rare to allow neighboring demolition, he said, “It’s not unusual for people to be in stores or buildings next to demolition that’s taking place.”
Jordan McLaughlin, 18, said he had been walking on Market Street when the wall fell. “There was a big boom, dust everywhere, and the ground started to shake,” he said.
Mr. McLaughlin, a high school student who had been dismissed early from school, said he had rushed to the scene and spent about 15 minutes trying to free people from the rubble before emergency crews arrived.
He said he had freed two women, one in her 30s and the other in her 60s. Neither appeared to be badly hurt, he said.
In comments to reporters, Mr. McLaughlin brushed off a suggestion that he had saved the women’s lives. “I just went to try to help people because it’s the right thing to do,” he said.
Timothy Williams contributed from New York and Gerry Mullany from Hong Kong.
Mark Makela for The New York Times
A Building Collapse in Philadelphia: Reuters footage of a building collapse Wednesday in the Center City section.
PHILADELPHIA — Rescue workers searched Thursday for any survivors from the collapse of a four-story building onto an adjacent thrift store in Philadephia, which killed at least six people and injured at least 14 others, city officials said.
One wall of the building collapsed about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday during demolition work, sending bricks and other debris thundering into the Salvation Army store. Mayor Michael A. Nutter confirmed at a news conference late Wednesday that five women and one man, all found in the rubble of the thrift store, had died. He gave no further details about the deaths, and said a search was continuing.
A 61-year-old woman was pulled out alive after being trapped for more than 12 hours, officials said. She was in critical condition at a local hospital.
Thirteen others escaped with only minor injuries, officials said.
“We still don’t know how many people were inside the thrift store or possibly on the sidewal,” when the collapse occurred, the mayor said.
The cause of the collapse, which occurred on Market Street near 22nd Street, was not immediately known. Several government agencies, including the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, will investigate.
The building’s permits were in order, and no violations were listed against it, said Carlton Williams, Philadelphia’s commissioner of licenses and inspections. He identified the owner as STB Investments of New York, and said city authorities had contacted the company.
A demolition permit for the building was issued in February, Mr. Williams said.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Nutter stood across Market Street from where about 125 firefighters searched piles of bricks, shattered wood and broken concrete, and said it was “incredible” that some people had escaped relatively unharmed.
“Search and rescue will continue until we have uncovered everything that we can possibly uncover,” Mr. Nutter told reporters at the time. He described the search-and-rescue operation as “delicate, dangerous work.”
Late Wednesday, Commissioner Ayers said rescue workers had about 40 percent of the debris remaining to search.
Despite severe damage to the thrift store, two walls remained standing and some items of clothing were still hanging in the window facing Market Street as dozens of firefighters streamed in and out.
Mr. Nutter said the authorities did not know how many people had been in the thrift store when the wall collapsed. Asked whether it was rare to allow neighboring demolition, he said, “It’s not unusual for people to be in stores or buildings next to demolition that’s taking place.”
Jordan McLaughlin, 18, said he had been walking on Market Street when the wall fell. “There was a big boom, dust everywhere, and the ground started to shake,” he said.
Mr. McLaughlin, a high school student who had been dismissed early from school, said he had rushed to the scene and spent about 15 minutes trying to free people from the rubble before emergency crews arrived.
He said he had freed two women, one in her 30s and the other in her 60s. Neither appeared to be badly hurt, he said.
In comments to reporters, Mr. McLaughlin brushed off a suggestion that he had saved the women’s lives. “I just went to try to help people because it’s the right thing to do,” he said.
Timothy Williams contributed from New York and Gerry Mullany from Hong Kong.