Unexpected collapse of Miami building

A 12-story building located in Collins Avenue, Miami, collapsed unexpectedly on Monday 23 July. One person was injured and traffic paused for three hours.

Samuel Landis, the person who was injured, remained in critical condition as of late Monday afternoon, according to Miami Herald. Landis, the project manager of Fort Lauderdale-based AlliedBean Demolition, was hit by a projectile from the building's collapse, according to CNN. Emergency crews arrived promptly after the incident to secure the area and search for injured victims. Fortunately, they found that no one else was injured by the collapse. 

The incident is under investigation by the police. Police spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez states that the search and rescue efforts have ended and the department is now leading a criminal investigation. Inspectors confirmed that the adjacent buildings are safe. 

According to Albert Cabada, owner of the restoration company GC Construction, the building was to be demolished in sections but instead it collapsed completely. "As far as I could tell they were scrambling before the collapse to close the streets. It was poorly planned, in my opinion," he said. He also added that the collapse was down to the removal of large sections of structural load-bearing walls on the front of the building. Canada was working on the building next door which is now encased in dust.

Luis Leon, the president of the general contractor on the development project company, Winmar Construction, stated that a "construction accident" occurred during the permitted demolition. According to Leon, another company, Allied Bean Demolition was subcontracted to do the demolition and was responsible for the demolition work. Allied Bean Demolition made no comments for the incident according to CNN.

The building was approved to be demolished in order to make room for new condos, according to the property developer Multiplan Real Estate Asset Management. The new construction will feature up to 87 high-end residences and will include a beach-facing pool, lounge and social area.

Sources: CNN.com, Miami.curbed.com