A hydraulic fluid leak is the likely cause of a crane collapse in Manhattan recently that injured nine civilians and three firefighters, according to a local TV report.
Workers were pouring concrete on the 47th floor for a new building when the fire started at 7:30 a.m. causing the crane to partially collapse. Fallen debris caused the street to be closed throughout the next day for cleanup and investigation.
ABC 7 in New York City reported that the crane carried 16 tons of concrete and the cable helping hold up the concrete weakened and eventually gave way. The collapse caused the evacuation of nearby buildings.
More than 200 police officers and firefighters responded to the scene as firefighters had the blaze under control by 11:45 a.m.
City records show that the company operating the crane was previously part of two deadly Manhattan crashes the last 15 years. The company and its owner were found not guilty in a 2012 incident that resulted in two deaths. Another collapse occurred in March 2008 that killed seven people, the station said.
Dave Lubach is executive editor of the facility market.
