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A building in downtown Philadelphia has collapsed crushing a nearby structure and killing one person. Authorities have rescued 13 people and are digging to see if anyone else remains trapped beneath the rubble.
“I was parked on 21st just heading to Market Street, next thing you know it felt like an earthquake," said Bernie Ditomo, a truck driver with Belfi Brothers. "I said, 'What the hell is going on?' My truck is totaled. I am a little dusty and dirty, but I’m alright. I am one of the lucky ones.”
The collapse at 2140 Market Street happened around 10:40 a.m. when a four-story building came down on top of a two-story building, which housed a Salvation Army Thrift Store. Early reports from Philadelphia Police indicate that the collapse may be the result of an industrial accident as construction crews were working on the nearby structure.
"This is a delicate and dangerous operation," Mayor Michael Nutter said of the rescue and recovery effort during a press conference from the scene. "We did not know and do not know how many people were actually in that store when the wall collapsed."
After the initial rescues, crews were communicating with at two people who remained trapped in the debris and were working to remove them. At one point, rescurers asked media outlets to pull back their helicopters to allow them to better detect sounds from beneath the rubble.
"We have active movement in the walls," said Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers earlier in the day.
One of the two trapped victims was rescued around 1 p.m. and taken away on a gurney, waving and alert. Police said they are not ready to say whether the confirmed fatality is the second trapped person.
Four hours into the rescue effort, Ayers said they were transitioning, bringing in new rescue members and even two search dogs. He expected the operation to continue for the next 12-24 hours.
"This is still an active search and rescue scene," he said.
Beyond the one person they know is still trapped, rescuers are not certain if more people remain buried beneath the rubble, but Nutter said the rescue efforts will continue until they are absolutely certain. "There were workers, and possibly even customers," at the time of the collapse, Nutter said.
According to Ayers, 125 people were working to locate survivors and they were using 35 different pieces of equipment in the search.
"There are firemen, police, construction guys digging out, because I believe people are down there," said Corey Vey who works nearby. "It's crazy right now."
Thirteen of those rescued are being treated at local hospitals. Most of the injuries are minor and minor injuries. All are awake and talking, according to Ayers.
Rescue crews could be seen digging through the debris and have brought in at least two pieces of heavy machinery to help move debris.
"I've never encountered anything like this before anytime in my life, and I don't want to see it again," said Vey, who was driving down 22nd Street right before Market and saw the building come down. "I feel really lucky," Vey said. "That brick landed in my passenger seat. Lucky for the rainguard on my window that saved me from getting hit."
Ordinary people took part in the rescue efforts as well. Roofers from a nearby building hustled over when after the collapse and started pulling people out of the basement.
"They were pretty banged up," one of the roofers said.
Market Street is closed from 18th to 30th Street right now.
Fire officials say the building next door to the collapse was under demolition. According to the demolition permit from Philadelphia's Licenses and Inspections, that building was a four-story structure. The demolition contractor is Griffin-Campbell Construction.
OSHA officials said they were aware of the incident and would be launching an investigation.
The city's counter-terrorism task force is on the scene along with all the major utility companies.
Photo Credit: Christopher Reid