MA Firefighters Rescue Worker Trapped in Porch Roof Collapse

June 3, 2021

Springfield firefighters used hydraulic tools to free a worker whose head was stuck between a railing and a home's fallen second-story porch roof while repairing termite damage and wood rot.

By Jeanette DeForge

Source masslive.com

Springfield, MA, firefighters rescued a worker who was trapped under debris from the collapse of a second-story porch roof Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD, MA—A second-story porch roof collapsed on top of two men while they were working on a Forest Park neighborhood home Wednesday afternoon.

One of the men was trapped, with his head stuck between the fallen roof and the railing. After firefighters rescued him, he was taken to a local hospital by AMR ambulance for treatment of injuries that are not life-threatening, Fire Capt. Drew Piemonte said.

Both men were on the porch at 783 Belmont Ave. at about 1:30 p.m. when the structural supports to the roof failed. The roof detached from the building and dropped onto the half-walls of the porch. The men were working to repair termite damage and wood rot at the time, Piemonte said.

The structure is considered stable and people can continue to live in the multifamily building. The front of the building is blocked off with yellow tape until repairs can be made, he said.

About 10 firefighters responded and used hydraulic tools to lift the porch roof to free the worker, he said.

The city’s building and code enforcement officers also responded to the collapse to ensure the building is structurally safe and proper permits had been taken out to do the work, Piemonte said.

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