DESPITE CONTINUING REPORTS THAT AS MANY as 12 workmen are unaccounted for, Chesterfield County Fire & Rescue believe that there are probably just one or two people trapped in the collapse.  (See earlier Firegeezer report HERE.)

The 2-story building was nearly completed when the roof and 2nd floor suddenly pancaked onto the ground floor just before 1 pm this afternoon.  The building was designed to have commercial occupancies on the ground level and apartments on the upper floor.

WWBT

People working in the building are saying that the only warning they had was a loud creaking sound as the beams started failing.  Most of them bailed out before the collapse.

Chesterfield F & R is being assisted by tactical rescue teams from City of Richmond and Henrico and Hanover Counties.

WWBT Ch. 12 has this raw video taken from their helicopter:

 Click HERE to see earlier video from Ch. 6 including an interview with an eyewitness.

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