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2 Killed At Amazon Facility Identified

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore City Fire officials identified the two men who died at an Amazon facility Friday night after a tornado hit the region.

The men killed in the Amazon building collapse Friday were identified as 54-year-old Andrew Lindsay and Israel Espana Argote. No age was provide for Argote.

The National Weather Service confirmed Saturday that a EF-1 tornado touched down along the Baltimore city-county line.

Firefighters remained on scene Saturday, searching through rubble for victims.

'Severe' Weather Could Be Factor In Fatal Amazon Building Collapse

Fire Chief Roman Clark confirmed that one person was found under debris at the center on Holabird Avenue at Broening Highway Friday. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Another man's body was found in the rubble Saturday morning.

Baltimore Fire officials identified the men killed at Amazon on Friday as 54-year-old  Andrew Lindsay and Israel Argoteia. No age was provide for Argoteia.

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Courtesy: Jenna Dorsey
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Courtesy: Jenna Dorsey

 

'It Sounded Like Bombs' | Amazon Employee Describes Building Collapse

According to the National Weather Service, a tornado touched down in Baltimore City at 9:42 p.m. causing the damage.

Initial damage was to a tractor-trailer, which was blown over on I-95 just north Fort McHenry tunnel, and a fence line that was blown over on South Newkirk street.

The tornado tracked east from there moving parallel to Hollabird Avenue.

It blew in large garage doors on both sides of the Flexi-Van Leasing facility, according to the NWS.

The tornado then reached the Amazon facility, reaching a peak of 105 mph. It blew off the roof of the building, including iron rafters. An 8-inch concrete wall then collapsed into the building, killing two people.

About a dozen tractor-trailers were pushed over, moved or rolled by the wind and several car windows were blown out.

Then the tornado continued eat along the south side of Hollabird Avenue, uprooting large trees and snapping dozens of large tree branches.

A Baltimore City firefighter saw the swirling debris and the funnel cloud as it passed.

The tornado lifted as it reached Dundalk Avenue.

NW said the tornado briefly touched down again at the Hollabird East Apartments on 4 Georges Court in Dundalk, pulling off part of its roof.

The damage displaced residents.

Senior Vice President of Operations for Amazon, Dave Clark, issued this statement on the collapse:

"Last night, severe weather impacted one of our facilities in Baltimore City resulting in two fatalities. First responders remain onsite assessing the damage. The safety of our employees and contractors is our top priority and at this time the building remains closed. We are incredibly thankful for the quick response from emergency services. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families impacted by Friday evening's tragic event."

According to Rachael Lighty, Regional Manager of External Communications for Amazon Operations, the two victims were third-party contractors and not Amazon employees.

Severe weather in the area caused damage to the roof of an apartment building in Dundalk as well, displacing residents.

A Mt. Airy TJ Maxx also reported damage from stormy weather.

Gov. Larry Hogan tweeted his condolences Saturday.

This story is developing. 

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