'We're Assessing The Threat': Comm. Suarez On Crane Collapses In Miami
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A second construction crane has had a partial collapse in Miami as Hurricane Irma winds and rain hammer the city.
Around 10 a.m. a resident of an apartment near NE 3rd Street and Biscayne Boulevard a heard a loud boom and looked out to see a section of a crane falling.
According to the resident, the crane is on top of the PMG building that is currently under construction. When it collapsed it fell on top of the building under construction.
Emergency personnel were unable to respond because of high winds, Miami-Dade County Director of Communications Mike Hernandez said.
The second crane collapsed at another site farther north along the water. The site has multiple towers in the Gran Paraiso by the Bay development.
No one was hurt in either collapse. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will lead the investigation.
Commissioner Francis Suarez who shared a video of the second crane collapse said they are doing their best to protect residents.
"We're assessing the threat to the surrounding buildings," said Suarez.
Able to physically confirm second crane collapse at 600 NE 30th ter. @CityofMiami pic.twitter.com/Gz1CgSZsNe
— Francis Suarez (@FrancisSuarez) September 10, 2017
Earlier in the week, residents of Miami-Dade County were warned about the cranes only being able to hold up under winds up to 145 miles per hour. There are about 20 to 25 construction cranes in the city, according to city officials. There was a concern the cranes could collapse.
"The crane structure can collapse," said Miami City Manager Daniel Alfonso earlier this week. "It can either go down and crush whatever is beneath it or fall sideways and maybe damage an adjacent building."
The city urged residents who did not leave to at least ride out the hurricane in the interior portion of the building - most likely in a concrete stairwell.
