UPDATE: Breaking: South Philly Rowhomes Collapse; 8 Injured


dalystreet

Photo via Zillow.com

Screen Shot 2013-07-29 at 12.20.34 PM

Screen shot from CBS 3.

Three Philly rowhomes homes have collapsed–one completely, and two others in part. A contractor was working on the basement of 428 Daly Street when an explosion or collapse happened close to 11 a.m. Monday morning. He was said to be working on a hot water heater. He is now in critical condition at HUP, and seven other injured people were taken to Jefferson. Serious damage was done to 426 Daly and 430 Daly, both of which had just undergone major renovations.

CBS Philly says the proper permits had been pulled to do rehab work on 428, which is listed on public property records as being owned by SCK Investments, a company at 2653 Camac Street. A phone number for the company goes straight to voicemail, as does a phone number for its representative, Steve D. Finney. The house was last sold on March 15, 2013 for $65,000, and renovations started in April after a bidding process.

According to an SCK construction specification document to solicit bids for the rehab job, improvements would range from the tiny (installation of “floating” stainless steel address numbers) to the massive (“demolish entire interior leaving framing and stairs intact”). As for the basement work, it was listed as follows:

A new furnace with central air and required ductwork shall be installed.
The existing hot water tank will be re-installed.
HVAC and water heater shall be enclosed. And a louvered door installed.
A powder room with elevated toilet and 24” vanity will be built including bath wall fixtures. A combo light/fan will be installed in the powder room ceiling and properly vented.
Laundry facilities shall be installed including washer, dryer, and laundry tub. Floor under laundry are to be tiled.
PECS plumbing and manifold will be installed.
Existing waste lines will be utilized where practical.
Basement walls will be framed with 2” x 3” studs and the walls and ceiling shall be dry- walled. Access ways to be provided to meters, etc. as needed.
Wiring to code. Six recessed lights shall be installed with switch at top of stairs.
A cap board will be placed at the wall top in the stairwell.
Needed repairs will be made to the basement floor for smooth carpet installation.

According to Property Shark, there were three permitted contractors for the site: EZ Plumbing’s Michael Daley, EZ Electric’s David Rubin, and Philly’s Finest Construction company.

Here is Zillow.com’s posted description of the house for sale purposes:

Basement: Partial, newer GHA heater, newer GHW tank, new soil line, 100 amp service w/cb’s. 1st floor: Lr, Dr combo, plain eat in kitchen, rr yard. 2nd floor: 2 Br’s, plaster and drywall walls, carpeted floors, plain bath w/fiberglass tub surround and vinyl floor.

OSHA is on scene.

BREAKING: Row Home Collapse In South Philadelphia; 7 Injured [CBS Philly]

Photos by Laura Kicey. Additional reporting by Camilla Brandfield-Harvey.