ATLANTA — A partial crane collapse is causing a ripple effect in the Midtown community Monday. At least four buildings were evacuated within a 1-mile radius of where the collapse happened, according to Atlanta Fire Captain Michael Roman.
Courtney Hook, a Midtown resident, called the events that unfolded scary to think about.
"You just never know with these collapses, being in a high rise how bad it could be," said Hook.
Atlanta firefighters responded to calls of what they believed was a building fire in the 1000 block of West Peachtree Street. However, when they arrived, they saw the crane had collapsed and instantly called for backup.
Fire officials said four people were hurt and taken to a hospital for treatment. All employees are now accounted for, officials said. The commotion caught the attention of those nearby.
"I heard a loud boom thinking maybe it was background noise from the TV," Hook said.
That's when she said she decided to see what happened.
"I decided to look out on my balcony after hearing a series of sirens and sure enough I saw a collapse team vehicle drive by," Hook explained.
Photos | Crane collapse in Midtown Atlanta
Yassin Reda said he was in his hotel when he heard "a big bang and the ground shake."
"I got a bit nervous. People are evacuating and in a matter of time, fire trucks show up," Reda said.
Roman said that a part of the crane failed causing it to damage one of the floors in the building. Engineers and officials from the construction company have to assess the damage and determine next steps for the building.
"It was for sure a miracle. You could see a crater of damage. It shocked me the scene that I saw there," said Reda.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officials have begun an investigation into the incident.
Fire officials are asking people to avoid the area as a precaution.
A spokesperson for Balfour Beatty provided the following statement about the collapse:
“This afternoon a crane at our 1018 West Peachtree construction site experienced a malfunction resulting in the counterweights dislodging from the crane and falling to the parking deck below. First responders arrived quickly to treat four injured workers who were subsequently taken to the hospital. The health and welfare of those four workers and their families are of our utmost concern and our thoughts are with them and their families. We are grateful to the emergency personnel who responded promptly to assess the situation and secure the area. The construction site has been closed and the surrounding area has been cordoned off until the safety of the area has been confirmed. We are working closely with local authorities and a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident is underway.”
Some residents who live nearby said they were still not allowed to return to their homes Monday night. A resident of Tens on West said a shelter was being made available for people displaced; a nearby hotel is also blocking off rooms for people impacted. Read more here.