17 hurt in NYC scaffolding collapse
Emergency personnel respond after the scaffolding around a two-story building under demolition at St. Nicholas Avenue and W. 125th Street collapsed onto an MTA bus and bus stop. Approximately a dozen people suffered minor injuries. (Sept. 20, 2011) Credit: Charles Eckert
Seventeen people suffered minor injuries when scaffolding at a building under demolition in Harlem collapsed onto a New York City bus Tuesday.
The FDNY said one person refused medical attention and the others were taken to hospitals and treated after the 9:30 a.m. accident.
Fire officials said the injured may be a combination of passengers, bystanders and workers.
The bus was headed west on 125th Street about 9:30 a.m. when it stopped in front of the building with the scaffolding. Witnesses said the structure suddenly collapsed onto the back of the bus.
The Department of Buildings said that a demolition permit had been issued to Disano Demolition Co. of Queens in June.
"We are working with our inspectors and engineers, as well as the police and fire department, to determine the cause of the collapse," said Tony Sclafani, a city Department of Buildings spokesman.
The department has placed a stop-work order on the site, said spokeswoman Jennifer Gilbert, and it will be issuing violations to the demolition contractor.
A complaint about the safety of the demolition site was made to the city Sept. 7, but building inspectors subsequently found no problems.
Disano Demolition could not be reached for comment.
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Newsday probes police use of force ... Let's Go: Holidays in Manorville ... What's up on LI ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
