Philadelphia building collapse: Search goes on; death toll at 6

Nearly a day after six people died when a four-story building collapsed in downtown Philadelphia, rescuers returned to the site hoping for a miracle rescue, such as the one of a 61-year-old woman overnight.

“That’s why we stay the course,� City Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said at a news conference. “This person being pulled out alive is what this rescue operation is all about.�

Myra Plekam was the 14th person to be rescued from the pile of debris at 22nd and Market streets in the Center City area of Philadelphia. She was pulled awake out of the rubble and taken to a hospital in critical condition.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter described the scene as still being a search and rescue operation. About 25% of the area still needs to be combed through, he told reporters.

So far, officials said of the 14 injured, Plekam was in the most serious condition. The names of the others will be released later Thursday after families are notified, Nutter said.

The news conference came a day after police and fire worked through the night to search the area of the collapse, which occurred about 10:45 Wednesday morning.

“It’s a dangerous environment for our members, our firefighters, our paramedics -- we’re going to take our time,� Fire Commissioner Ayers said.

The accident happened in the western part of downtown, between the city’s principal business district and its main train terminal, 30th Street Station. The area is one of the city’s seedier, known in the past as a place for adult bookstores.

The collapse involved an empty building that once housed a first-floor sandwich shop and apartments above. On one side is a Salvation Army thrift store. The larger building dropped onto the back of the smaller one, seriously damaging it and trapping clients. Officials have said they do not know how many people were inside the thrift store, which is why they are unsure whether anyone is still trapped.

The accident has raised questions about how closely the demolition work at the site was being monitored. Nutter on Thursday said the city had checked the site recently and had found no problems. Among those investigating the cause of the collapse are officials from the U.S. Department of Labor and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

There were no existing violations on the collapsed building, and the contractor, Griffin Campbell Construction, had proper permits for the work being done, officials said Wednesday.

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