KNXV
QUEEN CREEK, AZ - The Arizona Registrar of Contractors has ordered a summary suspension for work on a church in Queen Creek.
An investigation began after a roof collapse during construction injured seven workers, two with serious injuries, at Heart Cry Church. The workers fell approximately 17 feet when part of the roof collapsed.
The AZ ROC discovered the framing of the church had been subcontracted to an unlicensed entity by Harte Contracting Services. The report also states seven additional violations in the construction including knowingly contracting beyond the scope of the license.
“This investigation is still in the preliminary stages but from what we’ve already learned, this contractor hired an unlicensed entity to frame a 21,000 square foot structure and that structure collapsed injuring workers,” stated AZ ROC Director Jeff Fleetham.
“It is our duty to ensure Arizona’s contracting licensees work within standards and the law and when we find a licensed contractor aiding and abetting unlicensed entities and placing the public’s safety at risk, we are going to act quickly to remove their ability to contract in the state,” Fleetham continued.
Harte Contracting Services is the General Commercial Contractor of the new church being built near Empire Boulevard and Wild Horses Drive.
A hearing has been scheduled at the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings for October 24 on the matter.
The investigation is ongoing.