John Ferro

Poughkeepsie Journal

FISHKILL - An operator of an excavator at the Gap Inc. distribution center died Saturday after a piece of steel beam and tin pierced the cab, according to state police.

The operator of the Komatsu excavator was pronounced dead at the scene.

The machine operator's name is being withheld pending notification to his next of kin.

The incident happened around 2:38 p.m. in the area of where demolition work was being performed following an Aug. 29 fire that destroyed Building 100, a 1.3 million-square-foot facility.

Gap spokesperson Debbie Felix said in a statement that the company was sad to hear the "tragic" news.

“We were truly saddened to learn about the tragic loss of a construction contractor at our distribution center in Fishkill today," she said. "We want to extend our deepest sympathies to the individual’s family, friends and fellow crew members.”

The operator worked for Environmental Remediation Services Inc. of Syracuse, according to state police.

The company had been subcontracted by Clayco Contractors of Chicago, which has been contracted to do the demolition and rebuild work.

The company has been working at the Gap site since November 16, police said.

State police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives determined the fire had been set intentionally.

ATF and Gap have offered $7,500 each in reward money for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.

John Ferro: 845-437-4816; jferro@poughkeepsiejournal.com; Twitter: @PoJoEnviro

Providing tips

Anyone with information about the fire should contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-FIRE (888-283-3473), email ATFTips@atf.gov, or contact ATF through its web site at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips. Tips may also be submitted to ATF through the ReportIt app, available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, or by visiting www.reportit.com. All tips will be kept confidential.