A hangar under construction on the grounds of an airport in Boise, Idaho, collapsed Wednesday, killing three people and injuring nine others, officials said.
Five of those injured in the collapse are in critical condition, the city said in a statement issued Wednesday night.
Authorities responded about 5 p.m. to a private business located at the Boise Airport for a collapsed steel-framed hangar, Boise Fire Department Chief of Operations Aaron Hummel said during an earlier news briefing.
Everyone at the site had been accounted for as of Wednesday afternoon, he said.
“It was a very chaotic scene,” Hummel said, describing the incident as a “large-scale collapse” of the building’s framework.
“I don’t know what caused it, but I can tell you it was a pretty global collapse,” he said, calling it “catastrophic.”
Authorities respond to a reported building collapse near the Boise Airport on January 31, 2024, in Boise, Idaho. AP
Boise Airport operations were not affected, officials said.
Terra Furman was driving on Interstate 84 at about 5:30 p.m. when she saw at least 20 police cars, ambulances and fire trucks about a quarter mile from the entrance to the airport.
They were around what he described as a crane folded in half and a building collapsed into an ‘M.’
“The wall is still above one point and the middle part is collapsing on both sides,” he said.
Authorities responded about 5 p.m. to a private business located at the Boise Airport for a collapsed steel-framed hangar. AP
Hummel said some of the victims were on lifts or other elevated platforms at the time the structure collapsed, and that required some specialized rescue efforts.
He confirmed that a crane also fell in the incident.
Leticia Ramirez, spokeswoman for Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, said emergency and trauma teams are working with first responders to treat patients arriving from the scene.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse.
It happens next to the Jackson Jet Center, which offers private airplane rentals and maintenance.
Five of those injured in the collapse are in critical condition, the city said in a statement issued Wednesday night. AP
City of Boise permitting records show contractor Big D Builders has obtained a permit to build a 39,000-square-foot jet hangar for the Jackson Jet Center.
The $6.2 million project includes the construction of a concrete foundation and metal building.
Messages left by phone and email seeking comment from Big D Builders were not immediately returned.
Jessica Flynn, CEO of Jackson Jet Center, said in a statement emailed to the news outlet that “their hearts go out to everyone affected by this horrific event.”
Boise Fire Department Chief of Operations Aaron Hummel speaks at a news conference about a building collapse that occurred near the Boise Airport, in Boise, Idaho, on Jan. 31, 2024. AP
Flynn said the collapse occurred west of the existing Jackson Jet Center at the company’s under-construction hangar site, where dozens of people were working on site.
“We don’t know exactly what caused the hangar to collapse,” Flynn said. “Our focus now is to support our team and partners during this difficult time.”
James Quintana was driving to the airport when he saw an emergency vehicle speed past him.
He said he immediately thought it was a plane crash. He then saw a collapsed hangar and paramedics treating victims.
“I’m a retired law enforcement officer and when there’s that much commotion, emergency personnel and a lot of vehicles, something big has happened,” he said. “It was a terrifying sight.”
Cody McGowan was working about 100 yards from the building when he said he heard what sounded like a loud dog whining.
When he looked up, he saw a 3 ½ to 4 story high hangar collapsing on itself and part of the crane above.
“When I walk up there, you’re just like, ‘Wow,'” he said. “It’s shocking to see a building collapse in on itself.”
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