This story originally appear on 6abc.
One person is dead and two others are believed to be missing after a parking garage partially collapsed in the Grays Ferry section of Philadelphia, Action News has learned.
Just after 2 p.m. Wednesday, calls came in for the collapse on the 3000 block of Grays Ferry Avenue, Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson said. Search-and-rescue operations began immediately and remain ongoing.
Sources confirm to Action News that one person died from their injuries at an area hospital and two others are still missing in the rubble.
A large pile of debris was visible on one side of the garage. First responders have been focusing their efforts on the lower levels of the structure, which officials believe includes either an elevator shaft or stairwell.
One witness said he was driving by and reported hearing a rumble.
Thompson said the structure is compromised and will need to be stabilized before further search-and-rescue operations can safely continue.
Officials have closed off the surrounding area to allow additional crews to bring in heavy equipment to begin removing debris.
The seven-level parking garage was under construction for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It was being built to expand CHOP employee parking.
The project had been the subject of controversy, including protests earlier this year. The group that protested was concerned about the increased congestion and potential impacts on environmental health.