Strong winds wreaked havoc in Pittsburgh's Strip District yesterday, as scaffolding tumbled off a building under construction, obstructing a parking lot and damaging multiple vehicles. According to WPXI, the incident triggered emergency responses around 25th Street and Railroad Street, where a 6-story structure gave way to the gusts.
Despite the potential for harm, luckily, no injuries were reported. The emergency teams confirmed that the site, which was evacuated, saw no workers on the scaffolding when it collapsed. The cleanup crew worked through the area, confronted with debris scattered across the pavement and atop two unfortunate parked cars, Pittsburgh Police conveyed.
The cause behind the sudden fall is under investigation by Pittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections. Fears about construction integrity spike whenever nature flexes its muscles, as it did with wind gusts reportedly reaching 35 mph in Pittsburgh. WTAE added that a wind advisory was in place, forewarning gusts that could surpass even 40 mph in certain high elevation regions of Westmoreland and Fayette counties.
As for the project endangered by the wind's whims, it belongs to Merus, venturing to erect an apartment complex on the site. Leslie Koth, a spokesperson from Merus, in a statement per WTAE, indicated that Franjo, the construction company active at the moment of the incident, was leading the works when a segment of the edifice's exoskeleton fell. Information remains sparse as officials continue to seek out the cause, ensuring measures are taken to prevent such dangerous occurrences in the future.
Residents and bystanders are reminded to exercise caution around construction sites, especially under severe weather conditions.
