Man Rescued Days After Section of Pa. Home Collapses

Feb. 7, 2014
Crews used rescue tools to access and remove the man from the collapse in Baldwin Borough.

Feb. 06--A man was taken to UPMC Mercy in critical condition this morning after his home partially collapsed in Baldwin Borough.

Officials said the man, who is older than 60 but whose name was not available, may have been lying on the partially collapsed floor of a bedroom for several days before he managed to call 911 around 10 a.m.

About two-thirds of the back of the home, including part of the roof, had collapsed, Baldwin EMS assistant chief Todd Plunkett said.

It took crews about an hour using excavating safety equipment, such as hydraulic shores and hand tools, to steady the home and get the man out, Mr. Plunkett said.

He said the man may have suffered some kind of medical emergency days ago, but was alert today when he was rescued from the home. The man was suffering from hypothermia and dehydration and emergency medical personnel were trying to warm him.

The heat was not on in the home, but it was unclear if it was just not turned on or if the electricity was off.

Building inspectors were on scene.

Molly Born: [email protected] or 412-263-1944 or on Twitter @borntolede.

Copyright 2014 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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