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A malfunctioning crane on top of high-rise construction 31 Tehama could release a slab of concrete below. Reports on the exact weight of the concrete vary, but it’s estimated to weigh 2,000 pounds. Police have evacuated nearby buildings and closed off outlying streets on Howard, Second, First, and Folsom as a precautionary measure.
SFGate has more:
People were evacuated from eight buildings on Howard and Tehama streets shortly before 3 p.m. as a crane began falling into a concrete wall on 41 Tehama St. that could potentially fall if firefighters don't get to it in time, said Officer Jonathan Baxter, a spokesman with the San Francisco Fire Department.
"If the crane falls, it could take the concrete wall down," said Baxter.
As SFist reports, “Workers have reportedly been evacuated from the construction site, and the nearby site of 543 Howard as well as several other buildings are being evacuated.”
Passersby and evacuated workers have gathered along the sidewalks to see what, if anything, will happen. However, SFFD has warned people to stay out of the area for the time being.
Here’s a livestream of the situation in progress, courtesy of KTVU.
Some scenes from below.
At the scene of 41 Tehama where a crane carrying a 2k slab failed. Evac orders pic.twitter.com/CKYGqVfNvf
— Jonah Owen Lamb (@jonahowenlamb) February 15, 2017
Side shot of downtown #SF building w failed crane and cantilevered wall pic.twitter.com/v6z47IAYRu
— Jonah Owen Lamb (@jonahowenlamb) February 16, 2017
"The worst case scenario is we're going to have some structural damage to one or more buildings below." - @sffdpio pic.twitter.com/ua4azSKKtd
— Michael Bodley (@michael_bodley) February 16, 2017
Several SoMa office buildings have been evacuated due to 2K pound concrete slab at risk of failing near 30th floor of 41 Tehama pic.twitter.com/vRVaNApwcj
— Todd Johnson (@SFBizTodd) February 16, 2017
Everyone wants to see. pic.twitter.com/w5O31it1Pw
— Brock Keeling (@BrockKeeling) February 15, 2017
We will continue to update.
Update: Concrete wall stabilized. Area evacuations have been lifted. Jonathan Baxter, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department declared “we are safe,” according to SFGate.