Two construction workers were hurt after a ceiling collapsed in a defunct Nassau County office building on Friday at 10 a.m. in Mineola, Nassau County Police reported. According to Vincent Garcia, a detective with Nassau County Police Department’s Public Information Office, 19 workers were prepping the former Nassau County Social Services Building at 101 County Seat Drive for asbestos removal and renovation when the ceiling fell.
“Seventeen [workers] were accounted for and two were apparently trapped,” said Garcia. “They were decontaminated and taken to an area hospital. The other 17 are being decontaminated as a precaution.”
Two male workers, ages 22 and 46, were trapped under the fallen roof tiles, police said. The injuries are not considered life threatening.
Queens-based PAL Environmental Services, a environment cleaning company, is currently revamping the building, which has been unoccupied for some time, Garcia said.
Last year, the Nassau County Legislature approved a $72-million plan to renovate the building. It will house Nassau County Family Court, which is currently based in Westbury.
“At this time, the building is being evaluated,” Garcia stated.
At least five local fire departments were on scene, including Mineola, Garden City and Garden City Park, Carle Place and Westbury. Village of Garden City police were responded, as well as Nassau EMS and the Nassau County Fire Marshall.
The investigation is continuing.
