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Howlett Building update 4

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Illinois

From the AP:

Netting over a six-story open atrium in a state government building collapsed, tearing down stone that broke through the ceiling of a room below and injured at least three people Wednesday.

The falling stone left a 60-foot-long gash a couple feet wide in the floor of the atrium in the Michael J. Howlett Building, just south of the Capitol.

At the time, at least a dozen people were in the room below answering phones for the Secretary of State’s office. Dave DeFraties, chief of operations with the Springfield Fire Department, said three people hit by debris falling from the ceiling were hospitalized.

“I could just hear people screaming that they were hurt,” said Peggy Bartling, who was inside the room when the ceiling fell shortly before 2 p.m. She believes at least one person had serious head injuries.

Elaine Digiovanna, who was also in the room, said the lights flickered and a few seconds later the ceiling caved in. She said the room filled with a strong odor and people were ordered to evacuate.

Authorities also temporarily evacuated the state Capitol and other nearby buildings, concerned that the odor could be a gas leak. DeFraties said the stone had actually ruptured part of a sewer line.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 24, 04 @ 4:46 pm

Comments

Rich
You and Chuck Goudie have got to keep the heat on Blago until they explain, investigate and change their security detail policies.

don’t let the holidays be a holiday for holding Governor Press Conference responsible for his poor judgement and arrogance

Comment by Anonymous Saturday, Nov 27, 04 @ 3:30 pm