Three people were killed and nine were injured when a hangar near the Boise, Idaho airport collapsed Wednesday night around 5:00 PM MT.
Airport operations were not affected by the collapse, although traffic in the area was heavy as emergency crews arrived at the scene.
The building was a private hangar under construction located at W Rickenbacker Street and Luke Street, according to a news release issued by the Boise Fire Department.
Emergency crews respond to a collapsed building near the Boise Airport.
Terra Furman via AP
Emergency teams were sent to the scene, and search and rescue operations are underway. Due to the nature of the collapse, first-arriving fire crews worked to stabilize the scene and rescued multiple victims during the intervention, the fire department said. Three people died at the scene of the accident, and nine were injured, five of them critically. The injured were transported to local hospitals.
The names of the three deceased will be released by the Ada County Coroner’s Office pending notification of next of kin.
Footage from the scene showed a twisted pile of metal with authorities cordoning off nearby roads.
“Tonight there was a catastrophic collapse of a metal structure at the construction site. First responders found the scene busy and worked to secure and rescue the victims,” said Chief of Operations Aaron Hummel. “Boise Airport, the City of Boise and all first responders extend our deepest condolences to those affected.”
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Boise Airport’s operations were not affected by the collapse of the building.
Don and Melinda Crawford/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty
Crews remain on scene and Wright St. will remain closed overnight, firefighters added. The site is safe and there is no threat to the public.
The cause of the collapse is under investigation and OSHA representatives are on the scene.
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