WASHINGTON (WJLA) – A 36-year-old man died after he was trapped inside a building that collapsed in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 23.
The collapse happened at a construction site.
The media briefing with fire officials was paused as the victim’s family learned Edgar Sifuentes was dead.
“The deceased was found in the building toward the rear,” D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly said.
Donnelly and Department of Buildings Director Brian Hanlon said the construction started about a month ago.
“The work being done was preparation for the pouring of a footing,” remarked.
The two said they still don’t know what caused the collapse.
“It was while they were working,” Donnelly added. “It’s a pretty substantial collapse.”
Sifuentes’ sister-in-law, Cinthya Alvarez, demanded answers from city officials after hearing about the deadly collapse.
“I’m upset because how did the city give the permit to do this construction without coming to do an evaluation before?” Alvarez asked. “Nobody came to evaluate the situation because it’s a whole wall that fell down.”
According to Hanlon, the type of work being done required special inspections. He said the most recent one was done earlier this month.
“So my question is, how is the city going to answer to this?” Alvarez said.
No one else was injured in the collapse.
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