A row house partially collapsed in Northwest Washington, D.C., on Monday morning, trapping a worker inside, D.C. officials said. News4’s Darcy Spencer reports.
A row house partially collapsed in Northwest Washington, D.C., on Monday morning, killing a worker inside, officials said.
The worker was part of a crew renovating the two-story row home in the 1100 block of V Street NW. They were in the basement when the collapse happened, leaving them “severely trapped,” D.C. Fire and EMS officials said in a statement on social media.
The worker remained trapped more than an hour after the collapse was reported, D.C. Fire and EMS said.
According to relatives, the man was a construction worker who was trapped while working in the basement area.
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Collapse with entrapment 1100 block V St NW. significant collapse rear of 2 story row house with a worker severely trapped. Working to shore and secure hazard area. Rescue operations in progress. #DCsBravest pic.twitter.com/3rCMXE1d8p
— DC Fire and EMS Department (@dcfireems) December 23, 2024
“Our units quickly assessed the scene and accessed the patient, and they found that the patient was deceased,” said Chief John Donnelly with D.C. Fire and EMS.
Due to the instability of the building, D.C. fire officials decided to wait to recover the body in order to not risk anyone else getting hurt or killed.
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“We don't have any indication as to the cause,” Donnelly said. “We do know the building was permitted, and there will be an investigation to understand what work was being done at the time.”
A relative of the man who died became upset, wanting to know why his body has remained in the building so long. The fire chief and police pulled the woman aside to explain what they were doing and why it was taking so long to get him out.
Officials say there are permits for work on the property. The last inspection was done earlier this month.
Jason Thomas lives across the street and allowed News4 to show the scene from his balcony. He had just walked his dog when the collapse happened.
I saw the excavator lifting some dirt out of the basement… within five minutes, I came inside and police came from every direction,” Thomas said.
A relative told News4 the victim married in 2017, worked extremely hard and had a strong Christian faith.
Neighbors were also upset with the tragedy happening just two days before Christmas.
“And especially the family, these people that are in construction working to make that last extra buck for Christmas holidays, so if there is indeed someone in there, it’s just very tragic,” said neighbor Isabel Busquets.
D.C. fire officials say they are waiting for additional equipment, including cranes, to shore up the building before recovery.
