BOISE, Idaho – A devastating collapse of a hangar under construction at the Boise Airport has resulted in three fatalities and left nine others injured, with five in critical condition. The incident occurred on Wednesday, prompting emergency services to respond to the privately-owned steel-framed hangar. All individuals present were successfully evacuated by Wednesday evening, according to Aaron Hummel, the Boise Fire Department Operations Chief.
The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, but Hummel described it as a “large-scale collapse” that affected the entire framework of the building. In addition to the hangar, a crane at the scene also collapsed, further complicating rescue operations. Some victims were on a hoist or elevated platform when the incident occurred, requiring specialized rescue efforts.
The hangar under construction was intended for the Jackson Jet Center, a facility providing private airplane charters and maintenance services. The contractor, Big D Builders, had obtained permits for the project, which was planned to be adjacent to the Jackson Jet Center.
Jackson Jet Center released a statement expressing their condolences to all those affected by the tragic event.
The investigation into the cause of the collapse is ongoing, as authorities work to determine what led to the “catastrophic” incident.