Man dies after NW DC building collapses during demolition, fire officials say

WASHINGTON (7News) — A man has died after he was trapped inside a northwest D.C. building that collapsed on Monday morning, according to D.C. Fire & EMS (DC FEMS) officials.

Officers were alerted of a building collapse on a construction site at 9:36 a.m. Firefighters worked to rescue the patient but said the man was deceased once discovered in the rear of the building.

Officials haven’t determined an official cause of the worker’s death, but said the team is working to stabilize and remove the victim’s body.

The victim’s family said his name was Edgar Sifuentes and he was 36 years old. He was recently married.

His family told 7News he was saving up to build a home for his wife back home in Guatemala.

During the press briefing, his sister-in-law Cinthya Alvarez showed up and started demanding answers from DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly and the Director of the Department of Buildings Brian Hanlon.

“I need answers no just let us know we are all here for that reason,” Alvarez said.

The building is located in the 1100 block of V St NW and was under demolition at the time of the collapse.

The media briefing was paused and the family learned Edgar was killed.

As the family took a moment, 7 News asked Donnelly and Hanlon the same thing that they asked the Fire chief and Director of the Department of Buildings: how and why this happened?

Donnelly told 7News that Sifuentes was found in the building toward the rear.

According to the Director of Buildings, this type of work required special inspections, and the most recent was done earlier this month.

The building collapsed while Sifuentes was working. “It’s a pretty substantial collapse,” said Donnelly.

Edgar’s sister-in-law Cinthya Alvarez wanted to speak with 7News while the family still waits for answers.

“I’m upset because how did the city give the permit to the construction without coming to do an evaluation before,” Alvarez said. “Nobody came the evaluate the situation because it’s a whole wall that fell down.”

The Director and Chief said construction on the building started about a month ago, and they still don’t know what caused the collapse.

“My question is how is the city going to answer to this,” Alvarez said.

Hanlon said the DOB is investigating what work was being done and will compare it to what the building was permitted for. As of now Edgar’s body still has not been removed.

SEE MORE | VIDEO: Building collapses after DC Firefighters battle flames

The building had a construction, according to the D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly.

Officials said they are working to make the building safe and secure following the incident.

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No other injuries or displacements were reported.