Two injured after house collapses in New Orleans

A house being lifted under the state’s home elevation grant program collapsed this morning near Mound Avenue and Catina Street, leaving at least two workers with significant injuries and sending five to the hospital. The building collapsed around 11:30 a.m. in the 100 block of Mound Avenue. The home had been lifted about six feet in the air and crews were finishing the process when it collapsed. Brian Martinez with AVN Construction, the lead contractor for the elevation job, says that the foundation and the walls were completed Wednesday and the house was ready to be set down on its foundation. He also said that due to the collapse, the house will likely have to be demolished and is a total loss.