LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Two painters were rescued Thursday through a 10th-floor window after their scaffolding collapsed, leaving them dangling for about 40 minutes off a downtown building.
Neither was injured in the incident, which was broadcast nationally.
Both workers were wearing safety harnesses attached to the roof of the 12-story building. One of them was able to stand on part of the scaffolding and the ledge while the other dangled precariously.
As a precaution, firefighters placed an inflatable cushion on the street. They then broke the window from the inside and pulled the men through to safety.
Firefighters initially identified the men as window washers, but determined during the rescue they were painters, city fire department spokesman Jim Wells said.
They were taken to a hospital for observation and were in good condition, Wells said.
Fire Capt. Carlos Calvillo said the department responds to such incidents a couple times a year.
