3 killed, 9 injured when hangar collapses near Boise airport, officials say

BOISE, Idaho — Three people were killed and nine others were injured on Wednesday when a privately owned hangar collapsed at an airfield near the Boise Airport in Idaho, officials said.

>> Read more trending news

3 dead, 9 injured when hangar collapses

Update 12:30 a.m. EST Feb. 1: Three people died when a privately owned hangar under construction collapsed near the airport in Boise, Idaho. Nine others were injured, five critically, according to the Boise Fire Department.

According to a news release from the city of Boise, three people died at the scene. The five people critically injured were taken to area hospitals.

“Tonight, there was a catastrophic collapse of a metal structure at a construction site,” Boise Fire Department Operations Chief Aaron Hummel said in a statement. “First responders found a hectic scene and worked to secure and rescue victims.

”The Boise Airport, City of Boise, and all first responders extend their deepest sympathies to those impacted.”

City officials said the hangar construction site is located on the Boise Airport’s airfield near West Rickenbacker and Luke Streets, the release said.

Hummel confirmed that the hangar collapsed on airport property, KTVB reported. The television station confirmed through city permits that the hangar is being built at the Jackson Jet Center. Hummel said that from initial reports, 30 people were working in the area and Boise Fire worked to reunite families on the scene.

In addition to the hangar, a crane collapsed, the Idaho Statesman reported.

The hangar was being built by the Jackson Jet Center, according to its spokesperson, Jessica Flynn. There were “dozens of dedicated people” working at the site, Flynn said in a statement.

“Tonight, our hearts go out to everyone affected by this horrific event, especially those with loved ones on site when this tragedy occurred,” Flynn said in an email to the Statesman. “We do not know exactly what caused the hangar collapse. Our focus now is on supporting our team and partners during this difficult time.”

Original report: The Boise Fire Department confirmed the building collapse in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, at about 5:27 p.m. MST. A crane was also impacted, falling after the building collapsed, according to KIVI-TV.

Emergency responders were at the scene of the building, located at West Rickenbacker and Luke Steets, the Idaho Statesman reported. The call about the collapse came in at about 4:50 p.m., MST, according to KIVI.

Boise Fire Department Operations Chief Aaron Hummel told reporters at a news conference that about a dozen people were injured, according to the newspaper.

Hummel declined to give specifics about the conditions of the people who were injured, adding that they were waiting until the families of the victims had been contacted.

Hummel said that everyone involved in the collapse has been accounted for, according to East Idaho News.

Officials said that search and rescue efforts are underway, KTVB reported. The airport is not currently impacted, the television station reported.

© 2024 Cox Media Group