Wind knocks loose 20th-floor window

Firefighter rappels building, removes remaining glass

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A firefighter rappelled the side of the Wells Fargo building to remove a window dislodged during Monday's storm.

The large, cracked outer pane was about halfway up the building on the river side and could be seen from the ground. The inner pane of the double insulated window was not affected. Jacksonville Fire-Rescue Lt. Allen Mallard rappelled the side of the building to remove the broken glass, which was described as about the size of a car and dangling by the caulking around it.

"We are concerned that if it comes down, it would hurt somebody," said Lt. Grant of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Independent Drive was closed between Laura and Newnan streets, and the southbound lanes of the Main Street Bridge were closed due to the damage.

The wind damaged a window on the 20th floor of the Wells Fargo building.

Mallard, who has been with the Fire Department for more than 20 years, was lowered down about 240 feet and removed the remaining section of the glass, secured it and hauled it up the building.

"We train for stuff like this all the time," Mallard said. "We got some great instructors at the training academy. They put us in all kind of weird scenarios and you wonder why. Well, now you know why. Now we got a new one for the guys. Hold on, it's coming."

Mallard said the wind was strong, but his crew at the top of the building did a great job and communicated well throughout the process. He said they used a 4,000-pound, 2-inch webbing and a canvas bag to pull up the pieces of glass, which weighed about 40 pounds.

"It's fun, but we're weird that way," Mallard said.