NYC crane collapse: Department of Buildings looking into crane operator, construction site
NEW YORK -- A crane caught fire 45 stories up in the air Wednesday morning at a building under construction in Manhattan, then partially collapsed onto the street below.
Nearly a dozen people were hurt, but they all suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
CBS New York's Investigative Reporter Tim McNicholas is looking into the crane company and the construction site.
- Read More: Nearly a dozen hurt when crane arm catches fire, collapses onto NYC street during morning commute
Building inspectors say all the permits were up to date and there were no open violations at the construction site.
They're now questioning the contractor, the operator and everyone involved.
This is not the first time the owner of the crane, the New York Crane and Equipment Corporation, has faced questions from the city.
CBS New York has learned that same company owned a crane that collapsed in 2008, killing two construction workers near 91st Street and First Avenue.
The company and its late owner James Lomma faced a wrongful death lawsuit, and Lomma was charged with manslaughter then acquitted.
Prosecutors had argued the company did not properly repair damage to the crane from two years before that collapse.
A Manhattan jury eventually decided the families of the two men who died should be awarded money and the amount decided on was $48 million.
Wednesday, another glaring example of construction site hazards loomed over Hell's Kitchen as inspectors try to figure out what caused the fire and collapse.
Time lapse video shared with us by a neighbor shows the crane that collapsed Wednesday moving higher and higher as construction progressed over the last six months.
Watch: Expert on fighting rooftop construction fire
The Department of Buildings says they last inspected the crane and found no violations June 15 after sections were added to increase its height.
"I'm afraid of it, and I always try to cross the street 'cause I know the risk and I know the danger," Hell's Kitchen resident Rogeria Vianna said.
"I'll avoid walking under that construction site. This one and I are often up and down this block, so, avoid it," Hell's Kitchen resident Jacob Stetson said.
A survey earlier this year from a construction consulting firm found there are at least 10 tower cranes up across New York City.
The DOB says inspectors most recently were on the tower construction site on July 10 as part of a routine enforcement construction inspection.
"We were sleeping, and it felt like a bomb had gone off in the building," Hell's Kitchen resident Williams Noorlag said.
Noorlag says he had to evacuate his home after the crane collapsed onto his building.
"Don't wanna live in a high-rise anymore after this," he said.
Hoist machine operators are required under city law to conduct daily inspections of tower cranes.
We've reached out to the operator, along with the owner of the crane and the engineer.
The general contractor, Monadnock Construction, sent CBS New York the following statement:
"First and foremost, we understand that the workers involved are in stable condition. We want to acknowledge and thank the FDNY and the other first responders who were able to safely remove workers and any pedestrians from the location and secure the site. Safety is a priority for Monadnock Construction Inc. at this and every project. We are fully cooperating with all regulatory agencies and are available for any assistance that is needed. We are unable to provide any additional details regarding the incident at this time."
