MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) — A man who spent the night trapped in a basement vault in a Midtown building has been released after more than nine hours of captivity.
Officials say a 23-year-old customer became stuck in the building at 580 Fifth Avenue around 8:45 p.m. and was finally freed around 6 a.m. Wednesday.
It is believed the customer was in a DGA security vault trying to access his locker when he was caught.
Authorities say employees inside the building closed the vault without knowing the customer was still inside, and once the vault door is closed, it operates on a timer – meaning the door won’t open until a certain time time can be opened.
“There was a customer in the vault at the time the vault was closed. As soon as it is closed, a time mechanism runs. The safe will not reopen until a certain amount of time has passed,” said FDNY Officer John Sarrocco.
Customer freed from jewelry vault in Midtown
There are several jewelry shops inside the building. Officials believe the secured room with a timed locking mechanism is one of the many security measures inside the building.
Employees have no option to override the system.
Rescue workers spent more than nine hours breaking through 30-inch-thick concrete and metal panels. Authorities said they ultimately decided to stop this process to ensure the safety of the customer in the vault.
Officials say the man trapped in the room was physically fine and there were no safety or oxygen concerns. Rescuers were able to monitor his condition via video and also communicate via a telephone system.
Firefighters ran a hose into the basement of the building to keep the dust out and cool the tools.
After his release, he was examined by emergency services and sent home.
DGA Security provides secure storage options for businesses in the Diamond District.
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