At least 6 dead after Philadelphia building collapse

USPA News - Authorities have confirmed six deaths after two buildings collapsed in the state of Pennsylvania on Wednesday morning. A four-story building collapsed downtown Philadelphia, the state capital, and onto a two-story building where a Salvation Army Thrift Store is located on the Center City`s busy Market Street.

The incident occurred on Wednesday morning at around 10:45 a.m. local time. The vacant building was being demolished when the operation, which was being supervised by architect Plato Marinakos, Jr., went terribly wrong and ended up crushing the neighboring building. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter during a late Wednesday night press conference confirmed the deaths of five women and one man. Shortly after his statement, a 61-year-old woman identified as Myra Plekam was pulled out from the debris alive. Deputy Fire Chief Robert Coyne told local media outlets early Thursday morning that Plekam was taken to a hospital where she was reported in critical condition. However, rescuers said she was conscious and talking to them at the time she was pulled out, despite being trapped over 12 hours. At least thirteen others were also reported injured. Search-and-rescue crews are continuing their operations as there are still reports of missing people, and authorities believe they could be trapped under the rubble.