Demolition Begins on Damaged City of Poughkeepsie Buildings
A specialized demolition company brought heavy equipment up from Florida, NY on Tuesday to begin demolition of three compromised buildings on Academy Street: 15, 17 and 19.
19 Academy Street is the seven-story building that partially collapsed on Monday afternoon causing significant damage to the buildings located at 15 and 17.
Hottie's Boutique owner Tanya Hargrove told CBS2 News' Tony Aiello about her harrowing experience as debris from the seven-story building collapsed her 15 Academy Street building, trapping her inside.
"I heard a big boom. And the boom was on me, a bunch of debris," she told Aiello. "I remember thinking, 'I'm going to die here. I'm going to die.'"
Hargrove's lower body was trapped in the debris.
"I was thinking, 'Oh, kids, grandkids, my family and my friends, I have so much to live for,'" she told CBS2 News. "I have to be strong. I started to scream help, help, help!"
Firefighters worked tirelessly in 90-degree weather to rescue her.
Much of Tuesday's excavation work was performed at the rear of 17 until mid-afternoon when the equipment moved to the front of the building to begin pushing the building in on itself.
According to Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison the tentative plan is to demolish 17 and then 15 allowing for crews to bring down what is left of the largest building without allowing too much debris to fall on the street.
Work is scheduled to resume on Wednesday morning. No time has been announced for the completion of the project.