An alarming incident unfolded in the University Heights neighborhood of the Bronx on Monday afternoon as a six-story corner of an apartment building collapsed, leaving apartments exposed and triggering a swift response from firefighters amid concerns of potential casualties.
Authorities and onlookers, alongside captured news footage, depicted a striking scene where a section of the building seemed to peel away, resembling a stack of shelves. Fortunately, initial reports by early evening indicated no injuries, but firefighters remained engaged in a thorough search operation.
The Fire Department received the distress call around 3:40 p.m. alerting them to the corner collapse at the building near the University Heights neighborhood. Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh stressed the ongoing search efforts just before 5 p.m., emphasizing the utilization of their K-9 team to locate any individuals potentially trapped in the wreckage.
Visuals from the scene revealed a harrowing sight—the exposed corner of the six-story structure, walls stripped away, floors sagging, and a pile of debris strewn across the street. Among the rubble lay twisted and disarrayed metal, believed to be remnants of scaffolding encircling parts of the building.
Details captured by bystanders were equally unsettling; a portrait hanging on a wall in one apartment remained visible despite the structural collapse, while in another unit, a bed stood perilously close to the open edge of the floor.
Media footage from WABC-TV showcased firefighters employing bright lights from elevated ladders, illuminating apartment windows. Additionally, the presence of at least one drone near the collapsed wall further highlighted the urgency and complexity of the ongoing rescue efforts.
As emergency teams combated the scene, the Buildings Department dispatched inspectors to investigate the cause behind this catastrophic structural failure.
Efforts to reach the building’s owner proved futile as calls remained unanswered.
The incident stands as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of structural vulnerabilities within urban spaces, prompting swift action and heightened vigilance as authorities work diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents in the affected area.
Sources By Agencies
