Building under demolition partially collapses in NYC; 1 dead

NEW YORK (AP) — A building being demolished to make way for a luxury boutique hotel partially caved in today in midtown Manhattan, killing one construction worker and trapping at least one other beneath the rubble, officials said.

The collapse was reported just before 10:30 a.m. at an eight-story building on West 38th Street, the Fire Department of New York said. Fire trucks and ambulances were at the scene, and police had cordoned off the street. Crews were in contact with the trapped worker and attempting to free him.

What exactly collapsed wasn't clear from the street. Scaffolding and netting were still up on the building, and there was no sign of rubble or visible damage.

According to buildings department records, the site is owned by Fortuna LLC. A woman who answered the phone at Fortuna Realty Group's office declined to comment and referred calls to Northeast Service Interiors, a demolition company doing work at the site. Northeast said its owners were at the site and couldn't immediately respond to a telephone call.