Workers rescued from side of downtown San Diego high-rise

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Two people working on scaffolding on the side of a downtown high-rise were rescued Tuesday after their equipment became stuck.

The two workers were stuck 42 stories in the air after their equipment failed just before 10 a.m., leaving their mobile scaffolding stuck, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue.

Fire crews climbed to the top floor 46 stories up and were lowered down to the trapped pair. Glass on the 43rd floor of the building was then removed and the workers were hoisted into the building.

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SD Fire-Rescue crews are on scene at a building under construction at 14th and Island. SDFD dispatchers received the request for assistance at about 9:50 Tuesday morning. Two construction workers were on a window washing lift when the lift stopped functioning and the workers were not able to move the lift. USAR 2, engines 2 and 4 and trucks 1 and 11 along with medic 10 responded. The technical rescue team went to the roof and set up the rope system. They lowered down to the construction crew outside the 42nd floor and were able to remove a window on the 43rd floor. The 43rd floor window served as the extraction point. The first construction worker was rescued at 10:52 and the second at 11:01 a.m. The firefighters are now in the process of retrieving their rescue equipment. No injuries. Excellent teamwork and coordination on this incident. #sdfd #sandiego #technicalrescue #rescue #trt #firefighter #paramedic #highrise #commitment #excellence #training @joinsdfd #pride

A post shared by San Diego Fire-Rescue (@sandiegofiredept) on Jun 4, 2019 at 11:10am PDT

Neither worker was injured. The two workers were performing welding work on the building.

SDFD Battalion Chief Brian Raimes said weather was in their favor during the rescue and that the building was unoccupied, making the rescue easier.

A park below was temporarily evacuated in case anything fell from the high-rise. The building, located at 14th St. and Island Ave., is one of the tallest buildings in downtown, Raimes added.