A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday at Boise Airport in Idaho, as a hangar under construction collapsed, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuring nine others. The collapse occurred at around 5pm and was described by Boise Fire Department Operations Chief Aaron Hummel as a "catastrophic collapse." The privately owned steel-framed hangar was the site of the incident, and authorities responded swiftly to the scene.

As of Wednesday evening, all individuals who had been at the construction site were accounted for, according to Mr. Hummel. Unfortunately, three people lost their lives at the scene, while five of the injured victims are currently in critical condition. Fire crews worked diligently to stabilize the scene and successfully rescued multiple victims. Mr. Hummel described the scene as chaotic and stated that some of the victims were on hoists or elevated platforms when the structure collapsed, requiring specialized rescue efforts. Additionally, a crane also fell during the incident.

Emergency and trauma teams, along with first responders, were present at the scene to provide immediate medical attention to the victims. The response efforts included a significant number of resources, such as eight fire engines, three ladder trucks, two safety officers, two battalion chiefs, one division chief, a heavy rescue unit, and a dozen ambulances. The city statement confirmed that operations at Boise Airport remained unaffected, and there was no threat to the public.

The cause of the hangar collapse is currently under investigation. The privately owned hangar was part of a $6.2 million project by a business that offers private airplane charters and maintenance. The project aimed to construct a 39,000 square foot jet hangar for Jackson Jet Centre. The contractor, Big D Builders, had obtained the necessary permits for the construction, which included a concrete foundation and a metal building.

The collapse of the hangar next to Jackson Jet Centre has deeply impacted the community. Jessica Flynn, CEO of Jackson Jet Centre, expressed her condolences, stating that their "hearts go out to everyone affected by this horrific event." Flynn emphasized that the focus now is on supporting their team and partners during this difficult time.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as alarming, with Terra Furman, who was driving on Interstate 84 near the airport, witnessing a crane folded in half and a building shaped like an 'M'. James Quintana, another witness, initially thought it was a plane crash due to the large number of emergency vehicles rushing past him. He later saw the collapsed hangar and paramedics attending to the victims. The incident has left many shaken, with Quintana describing it as a "scary sight."

Officials have assured the public that Boise Airport operations were not impacted, and the site remains secure. The names of the deceased victims will be released by the Ada County Coroner's Office once their next of kin have been notified. The investigation into the cause of the collapse continues, as authorities work to determine what led to this tragic incident.