6 Construction Workers Injured in Roof Collapse

From DNAinfo by Ben Fractenberg and Trevor Kapp:

Six construction workers were hurt — four seriously — when a roof abruptly collapsed on Park Place Tuesday morning, FDNY officials said.

Workers were putting cinder blocks on top of 1294 Park Place, near Schenectady Avenue, when the roof of the two-story home suddenly gave way around 9:45 a.m., according to the FDNY.

“It was too much weight in that area to be supported, and it collapsed into the basement,” said FDNY Assistant Chief Wayne Cartwright.

Norman Harrison, 67, said he was on the block when he heard workers “crying out” and went rushing into the site.

“They were trapped but not completely buried. I saw someone’s head pushing out,” he said. “We drew them out. They’re lucky to be alive.”

Nine laborers were working on the building at the time of the collapse, Cartwright said.

“Six needed to be helped out of the building,” he said. “Three were able to leave under their own power. We’re still trying to determine where they were at the time the roof collapsed.”

Firefighters searched open spaces at the site to make sure no one else was trapped, FDNY officials said.

One worker suffered a compound leg fracture, Cartwright said.

Four of the six injured workers were taken to area hospitals in serious condition, while two were listed in stable condition. None of the injuries was considered life-threatening, Cartwright said.

Engineers with the Department of Buildings were on scene investigating. A spokesman didn’t have further information.

The building’s management company, Z & J Management, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.