We got the call at about 2 o'clock this morning and we came out and we've got a modern building that just collapsed. A large modern building, 12 stories, 130-unit condominium on the ocean just collapsed, it looks like there was an earthquake, it's inexplicable and we are all scratching our heads trying to figure out what the problem is.

Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett

People are worried, some people are especially worried.

Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett

The same construction, the same developer, the same name, probably the same materials.

Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett

We have been in there several times now. We have taken out samples. We've done the ground-penetrating radar. We're trying to determine the amount of steel, the thickness of the slabs, so we're trying to compile all that information and see exactly if there is some indication of weakness.

Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett

We've given them a series of boxes to check in order to make sure that their buildings are as safe as they can be, given especially we don't know why Champlain Towers North fell down.

Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett

We will be 100% transparent.

Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett

They are here on-site, all the way from Mexico and even Israel.

Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett

It should have been a very straightforward thing, buildings in America do not just fall down like this. There is a reason. We need to find out what that reason is.

Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett

But our first responders and our search and rescue teams are constantly eager to get back on the job, and they are on the job now.

Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett