Bodies of 3 workers killed in west Houston stairwell collapse recovered

HOUSTON – The bodies of three workers who were killed in a stairwell collapse at a construction site earlier this week were recovered Wednesday.

Houston Fire Department Assistant Chief Michael Mire said crews have been on site since 13 flights of concrete stairs fell on workers Monday at the site of the new Marathon Oil headquarters in west Houston.

Mire said they recovered the body of one of the workers after searching the three-story-tall pile of rubble for about two hours Wednesday morning. The remaining two bodies were recovered early Wednesday afternoon.

Mire said officials spent Tuesday assessing the stability of the building before sending recovery teams. He said a team of more than 20 technicians and members of the department’s hazmat team were sent in Wednesday morning.

Each section of stairs weighs about 14,000 pounds and is made of concrete and steel, Mire said.

Authorities have not identified the bodies that were recovered.

Family members have identified one of the workers who was killed as 29-year-old Alexander Grandas.

This developing story will be updated.