Scaffolding collapses on sidewalk in front of Midtown building under construction
MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- A sidewalk shed collapsed in front of a building in Manhattan on Friday, after two mini cranes fell from above and onto the scaffolding.
FDNY officials say the collapse happened just after 3 p.m. at 501 Nineth Ave. between West 38th and 39th streets in Midtown.
They say the 12-story building at the location is under construction.
According to the Department of Buildings, two mini cranes, or so-called "spyder cranes," were in use.
One of the cranes was on the roof of the building attempting to hoist the second crane from the ninth floor to the 10th floor, when the mini crane on the roof became dislodged, sending both cranes down to the sidewalk shed below.
The impact then caused the scaffolding to collapse onto the sidewalk.
Hordes of captivated New Yorkers were grateful they weren't under the rubble. No injuries were reported.
"I was first like hoping no one was injured because it's a sidewalk obviously and I walk there like so many times a day," witness Calie Greig said.
"It sounded kind of like someone moving a dumpster but it just went on for so long we knew something was wrong," witness Karen Detoro said.
FDNY Assistant Chief Mike Meyers said the construction mishap could have been significantly worse due to the time of the incident and its proximity to Times Square.
"It's an incredibly lucky day where we're two blocks from Times Square, where hundreds of people walk by every minute or so, and we were lucky that nobody was caught underneath that debris pile when those two spider cranes went through the scaffolding," he said.
Department of Buildings records show a partial stop work order had been issued for failure to obtain a permit for one of the mini spyder cranes on site.
That stop work order was fully rescinded as of Thursday.
"They regularly raise cranes up in Manhattan here from one level to another. Obviously something went wrong in this case and that's what the department of buildings will determine," Meyers said.
The city could have a much bigger problem on its hands.
"We had been walking down this side of the street. If we had been on that side of the street a couple of minutes later it would have been different.," a witness said.
Sidewalk sheds are in place to protect pedestrians from falling debris, but not to withstand falling cranes.
The DOB is investigating the incident and will determine what might have occurred.
The building developer ZD Jasper Realty released a statement saying, "We have provided all requested information to the relevant authorities and continue to cooperate fully as they conduct their review. The safety of everyone on and around our site is non-negotiable, and we are treating this matter with the highest level of seriousness, urgency, and care."
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