Phoenix Firefighters Find Body in Collapsed Warehouse

July 28, 2024
Crews were aware of the stability of the partially collapsed building as they searched for the missing man.
After searching for three days, Phoenix firefighters located the body of a warehouse worker buried under debris.
 
The structure collapsed Wednesday night during a microburst.
 
All but Oswaldo Antonio Montoya Torres, 22, made it out of the building, 
 
Phoenix Fire Capt. Todd Keller told AZFamily dogs alerted to the same location over the past days, but  there were heavy concrete slabs in the area. Torres' co-workers told crews that would be the area where he was last seen.
 
Firefighters have been working 12-hour shifts removing debris and concrete. Cranes and other equipment were used in the operation as well.
 
The stablity and danger of another collapse were on the minds of many.
 
“This is not the outcome we wanted."

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.