BOSTON — Three workers were injured in a collapse at a construction site in South Boston.
Boston Fire Commissioner Jack Dempsey said emergency crews were called to the Edison Power Plant building around 1:40 p.m. Two of the injured workers were able to be removed immediately.
A third person was trapped, prompting a rescue operation with about 100 firefighters in support roles, Dempsey said.
Dempsey said the worker had part of a wall leaning on his lower legs. He was freed after more than three hours and taken to the hospital.
Boston Police Sergeant John Boyle confirmed with Boston 25 News that the injuries of all three victims, whom authorities haven’t named, are now considered non-life-threatening.
“Demolition drops are very dangerous. Probably more dangerous than putting buildings up,” Dempsey said.
Dempsey said that the building at 776 Summer Street is old and has experienced other problems over time.
“We’ve had a lot of serious problems with this building over the years,” he said. “I recall way back, we had a nine-alarm fire here, so this is nothing new to us.”
Suffolk Construction, the company responsible for the demolition, said the collapse involved a catwalk.
“Our thoughts are with the individuals who were injured, along with their families,” a spokesperson for the company said. “We are currently on-site working closely with OSHA, our subcontractor and the local authorities to determine the cause of this incident and confirm the safety of the site. Safety on our job sites continues to be our number one priority and we will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure our workers return home safely at the end of every workday.”
Hilco Redevelopment Partners, which owns the site, thanked first responders for their quick response.
“The safety of the workers on-site and in the surrounding areas is our top priority,” a spokesperson for the company said.
The construction site is being developed by Hilco as retail, housing, and commercial space called L Street Station.
“This 1.68 million square foot mixed-use development project will bring new energy to the Boston Harbor waterfront, adding jobs and creating new community open space for the South Boston neighborhood. The project includes new retail, housing and commercial space using best-in-class environmental sustainability standards and incorporates a resilient site design that will create nearly 6 acres of open space throughout the site, including a new 2.5-acre public park along the waterfront,” according to the company’s website.
Mayor Michelle Wu said the city is “pausing permits and making sure there is a full investigation.”
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has opened inspections with three employers at the site, including Suffolk Construction, Northstar Contracting Group, Inc, and TRC Companies.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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