Teen Rescued After Being Trapped In Abandoned Bank Of America Vault In Hollywood
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A teenager who had been trapped inside an abandoned Bank of America vault was rescued Wednesday afternoon.
The 17-year-old boy became trapped inside the vault at the old bank in the 5900 block of Dewey Street at around 1 p.m.
He was seen walking out of the building shortly before 5 p.m.
Sources say vault technicians had to be called to assist Hollywood Fire Rescue to get the teen out.
Neither of the teens, the one stuck in the vault or his friend who went in the building with him, said much about why they went into the building and how the teen got trapped.
"We go stuck," said one of the teens.
Hollywood Fire Rescue said the teen's parents were on scene for the rescue.
"It was a reaction of anger yet happiness that he was out of the vault," said Hollywood Fire Battalion Chief Pat Keller.
Police said the teens bypassed numerous "No Trespassing" signs to enter the building.
"They didn't know the vault was still active," said Hollywood Police Officer Christian Lata. "One of them got trapped inside and luckily the one outside was able to call 911."
Hollywood Fire Rescue said they were able to contact the vault manufacturer who sent out some employees that previously serviced the vault.
Lata said it was a Bank of America employee who used to work in the building who provided the crucial tip.
"An old employee from across the street which the bank moved to was able to come up with a combination that worked," Late said.
The major rescue effort included Hollywood Fire Rrescue as well as the Technical Rescue team from Broward Sheriff's Office, who tried to break through two feet of concrete wall as well as a steel vault door.
First responders say this rescue highlights a simple message to the community.
"Don't play around in places that you're not supposed to be," Keller said.