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New Orleans Delays Demolition of Cranes in Hotel Collapse

Associated Press

   NEW ORLEANS - A plan to use explosives to topple two giant cranes
   leaning precariously over a partially collapsed hotel has been delayed
   until Sunday, city officials said after determining the cranes were
   more damaged than previously thought.

   Officials said a demolition that had been planned Saturday will now
   take place no earlier than noon Sunday. Fire Chief Tim McConnell said
   the latest delay was caused by the new assessment of the cranes.

   "As they got up and got closer they found out some things about it that
   have changed the way they are going to take it down ... and that's
   going to take a little longer for them to accomplish," he said at a
   news conference. "The cranes are more damaged than they thought."

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