On Jan. 29, personnel with San Bernardino County Fire Department's heavy technical rescue units were called in to free a woman trapped in debris from a building collapse.
Nearly 30 firefighters took just over an hour to clear debris and shore up the second story in order to remove the victim safely. The 50-year-old woman was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, where she was treated for moderate injuries. A contractor and another employee suffered minor injuries.
The collapse occurred at BAB Steering Hydraulics in Fontana, a business that fabricates hydraulic steering mechanisms for large vehicles, including fire trucks.
Fire investigators blamed the weight of hydraulic parts for the collapse. The heavy items likely caused an I-beam and wood flooring to fall into a "V" shape at the center of the floor.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is investigating the incident.
In 2003, the firm helped restore a FDNY truck that was damaged in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
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