MAY 1, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC
A “structural collapse” sent water pouring into the infamous
Washington, D.C. landmark’s parking garage, creating a sinkhole Friday morning,
fire officials and witnesses said.
At least one person was reported hurt after three stories of
a garage collapsed, sending rescuers inside to clear and search the structure.
The rest of the building was also evacuated following the "pancake
collapse," authorities said.
The road outside the iconic building, made famous for the
1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters that brought
about the downfall of former President Richard Nixon, was shut down as police
and firefighters investigated.
"We saw smoke coming from where the hotel is being
built," resident Dave Lilling told WRC-TV. "...We saw the construction workers leave
very quickly, and then the smoke dissipated. There was an announcement on the
loudspeaker system which said, 'Hey, there's been a water main break and some
building issues in B3.' They advised everybody not to go down there."
The area impacted was a construction site above a parking
garage. Photos from the scene showed debris fallen from the ceiling onto cars
below. At least one vehicle was reported flattened as the roof rained down.
"I was installing a panel," one worker, his voice
still shaking, told WRC-TV. "I was looking out and I heard a rumble,
and a 40-foot-by-40-foot section of earth just went down, hitting the floor
below it, and then that floor went down.
"One of our guys had just come up from that area, using
one of the restrooms down there," the worker added. "Thank God he's all right."
Source: www.nydailynews.com