New Jersey Sinkhole: Forklift Operator Alive After Being Swallowed In East Rutherford (VIDEO)

May 21, 2013 12:35 PM EDT | Matt Mercuro

Police are trying to figure out what caused the floor of a New Jersey warehouse to open up, swallowing a man and a forklift.

Danny Rodriguez of Bronx, N.Y. managed to only suffer minor injuries after his forklift sank into the hole in East Rutherford. The warehouse is currently being rented by AM Express Freight according to the Associated Press.

"He's the best forklift driver we have," said Sarah Entena, the administrator for AM Express Freight according to NorthJersey.com, who added Rodriguez has worked for the company for 30 years. "The forklift protected him and thank God for that."

Witnesses described the hole as being 30 to 40 feet wide and six to 10 feet deep according to the Associated Press.

The hole was filled with cooking oil and soy sauce that was stored in the warehouse. Rodriguez was able to climb through the mess and pulled himself out of the sinkhole.

Rodriguez was transferred to Hackensack University Medical Center to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

 The warehouse where the sinkhole opened is reportedly "not safe for reoccupation" according to NorthJersey.com. The Building Department is currently investigating the sinkhole.

"Investigation of the building determined there has been an approximately 40-foot-by-40-foot structural collapse in the rear warehouse area of Unit 3. Adjacent units were evacuated as a precaution," said John Giancaspro, East Rutherford Assistant Fire Chief according to NorthJersey.com.

The warehouse is one of nine units in a complex of connected buildings and is rented by AM Express Freight from CRI Construction, Inc, said Bruce Jordan, the owner's property manager.

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