Last Updated Nov 19, 2017 2:48 PM EST
NEW YORK — Several people were hurt after scaffolding came crashing down onto a street in Manhattan on Sunday, CBS New York reports.
Witnesses posted photos on social media showing wooden planks and metal scaffolding strewn about at the corner of Prince Street and Broadway in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood.
Authorities say five people suffered minor injuries. It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the scaffolding to collapse.
“Everybody ran from the store to try to remove the rubble before anybody arrived and they got a lot of it off even before the fire department came,” one woman, who was inside a nearby market, told CBS New York.
Fire officials said the collapse likely happened due to high wind gusts. The National Weather Service in New York said a wind advisory is in effect in the city until 6 p.m.
Several people were hurt after scaffolding came crashing down onto a street in Manhattan on Sunday.
Sabrina Franza/CBS News
“Scaffolding that is meant to protect residents should not be up long enough that it needs to be inspected over and over again year after year,” City Councilman Ben Kallos, a Democrat who represents the Upper East Side, said in a statement.
“We can do a better job at keeping New Yorkers safe, by making sure building repairs are done as soon as possible and scaffolding are up for no longer than they have to be.”
Units with the city’s police and fire department remained on the scene early Sunday afternoon as the investigation and cleanup continued.
Southbound traffic was closed at Prince Street and northbound N, Q, R, and E trains were bypassing the Prince Street station for several hours after the incident.
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