National

Dramatic photos show firefighters rescue window washers hanging from Texas high rise

Houston Fire Department

The Houston Fire Department’s high-rise rescue team had its hands full when it was called in to save window washers stuck on a platform after it collapsed near the top of a building.

The department swooped in to save the two window washers Wednesday afternoon, according to the department’s Twitter account. Rescue teams rappelled from the roof to secure the workers and pulled them safely inside the building through a window they cut open under the platform.

Houston Fire Department dramatically rescues two window washers after their platform collapses outside a high rise building.
Houston Fire Department dramatically rescues two window washers after their platform collapses outside a high rise building. Houston Fire Department

KTRK got video footage of the platform from its chopper after firefighters rescued the workers.

As scary as they are, these sorts of rescues are not uncommon.

Rescuers had to cut out a window below the platform in order to pull the washers to safety.
Rescuers had to cut out a window below the platform in order to pull the washers to safety. Houston Fire Department

In 2019, a worker was left dangling from a window washing platform after it was caught in high winds and smashed into a skyscraper in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Fortunately, the worker was able to cling to the platform until help arrived.

Houston Fire Department dramatically rescues two window washers after their platform collapses outside a high rise building.
Houston Fire Department dramatically rescues two window washers after their platform collapses outside a high rise building. Houston Fire Department

This story was originally published September 2, 2020 at 4:15 PM with the headline "Dramatic photos show firefighters rescue window washers hanging from Texas high rise."

TJ Macias
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
TJ Macías is a Real-Time national sports reporter for McClatchy based out of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Formerly, TJ covered the Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers beat for numerous media outlets including 24/7 Sports and Mavs Maven (Sports Illustrated). Twitter: @TayloredSiren
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