Miami Fire Rescue officials reported that a drill (pile) rig toppled onto a construction box on Southeast 12th Street and Brickell Bay Drive at about 8 a.m. on Monday. The collapse damaged three vehicles, sparked a small fire, and trapped two workers inside the box.
Rescue operation
Fire Chief Robert Hevia described a complex scene in which his crews were simultaneously fighting the fire and using the Jaws of Life to cut through the Conex‑style construction box. The technical rescue team succeeded in extricating both victims, who were later seen hugging a firefighter before being placed on a gurney.
“It was a very complex scene with a fire that was occurring, our crews were putting out the fire and our technical rescue team working simultaneously to cut through the construction box, and they were able to successfully extricate the two victims,” Hevia said.
Other persons involved
A third worker, the rig operator, managed to jump from the tipping rig before it fell. The driver of a white BMW SUV, who had stopped her vehicle and put it in reverse as the rig fell, saw the rig land on her hood, causing the fire. She escaped by exiting the vehicle’s rear door.
All 18 construction workers on the site were accounted for. The 47‑year‑old rig operator, the two trapped workers, and the SUV driver were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Hevia praised the quick response, noting, “I’ve been on the fire department for 28 years; when you see the scene, it’s impressive the fact that we had four victims, and they were all able to be extricated or self‑extricate themselves with minor injuries is a remarkable day for them.”
Site background and next steps
The collapse occurred at the location earmarked for billionaire Ken Griffin’s planned Citadel headquarters. Citadel referred NBC6 to developer Related Companies, which issued a statement expressing gratitude to emergency services and emphasizing that worker safety remains its top priority. Related Companies said it is cooperating fully with city and county building departments and will conduct a thorough investigation.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been notified and will send inspectors to determine the cause of the rig failure.
Community impact
Brickell residents and commuters experienced temporary lane closures and traffic delays while crews worked to clear the site. The swift response by Miami Fire Rescue highlights the department’s dedication to protecting both workers and the public in high‑density urban construction zones.
Authorities encourage anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information to contact Miami Fire Rescue’s public information office.
Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.
