Parking Structure in Century City Collapses

Originally posted at 10:08 a.m. July 25, 2014. Edited to add more photos, information.

An underground parking structure partially collapsed today at a Century City residential complex, but no one was hurt.

The problem was reported about 7:35 a.m. in the 10100 block of West Galaxy Way, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

"As part of a landscaping project, construction crews were using (skip- loaders) to handle lava rock and dirt," LAFD spokesman Eric French said. "The heavy weight of the material being stored was too much for the structural integrity of the parking garage, contributing to the collapse."

An LAFD Urban Search And Rescue Team with specialized hydraulic equipment was sent to the scene, and police officers diverted traffic away from the area.

Some evacuations were ordered while inspections of two affected buildings were conducted.

The fire department later reported that the buildings were yellow-tagged -- meaning residents would have restricted access to parts of the structures, but no one would be able to stay inside -- until Monday, when a Building & Safety engineering safety plan was expected to be completed.

The American Red Cross was summoned to assist displaced residents in finding temporary shelter, French said.

--City News Service