Manhattan Demo-Site Collapses

10 injured, five buried in the debris.

 

A supermarket under demolition in Manhattan collapsed July 14, burying five people in a pile of debris, according to a report in the New York Times.

 

No one was killed, but 10 people, including five firefighters were injured in the collapse of the building—the former Gristede’s market.

 

Among the five people rescued from the debris was a 7-month-old baby in a stroller, according to the report.

 

The New York Times reports that the city Buildings Department is investigating the cause of the collapse.

 

According to the Times, witnesses say a heavy piece of demolition equipment on the roof of the building might have been a factor.

 

The Bronx-based Safeway Environmental Corp. was issued three violations by the Building Department for operating an unsafe demolition, failing to remove mechanical equipment and using equipment contrary to permit, Ilyse Fink, a department spokesperson, tells the New York Times.

 

Fink tells the Times that while the company had a permit for the use of a mini-excavator, it may have used a heavier piece of equipment on the roof.