One Dead, One Injured After Midtown Roof Collapses

The Fire Department says the collapse was reported at 10:28 a.m. Friday at a building under demolition on West 38th Street. As many as 19 workers were in the building at the time of the collapse, but all appear accounted for.

At least one person is dead and another is reportedly trapped after the ceiling of an under-construction hotel in midtown Manhattan collapsed this morning.

The Buildings Department was requested at the scene because the eight-story structure, which contains scaffolding, may be unstable. Officials closed streets around the site. “They’re not letting anyone in or out of the building”.

This is a developing story. “The guy in charge was screaming for everyone to get out”.

The building – in the process of being demolished so it could be turned into a posh hotel – was filled with construction workers. A demolition permit was issued in May, and there have been no recent complaints at the site.

Northeast Service Interiors, based in Maspeth, was handling the demolition.