One person died and 12 people sustained injuries after a three-story building partially collapsed into an open construction pit at 1321 Flatbush Avenue in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn on Wednesday afternoon.
Building Collapse Strikes Flatbush
The incident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. near the intersection of Bedford Avenue and Flatbush Avenue, according to the New York City Fire Department. The collapse filled the adjacent excavation site at 2625 Bedford Avenue with bricks and wood. It left rooms inside the standing portion of the structure entirely exposed, including a bedroom and closets filled with clothing.
Firefighters continued efforts to free one injured person who remained beneath the rubble and was communicating with first responders. The New York City Department of Buildings dispatched inspectors to assist with recovery operations and conduct structural stability inspections of nearby buildings.
DOB inspectors are on scene at a major building collapse near Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn assisting with recovery operations and conducting structural stability inspections of nearby buildings. pic.twitter.com/UsdgQ9ABmj
City records show that the collapsed property was a mixed-use building containing four residential units and five units overall, standing directly next to a lot where a one-story building had been completely demolished.
Twelve People Sustained Injuries During the Collapse
Six other people sustained less serious injuries during the collapse. That brought the total number of injured to 12.
A partial building collapse in Flatbush, Brooklyn has left at least one person dead, and several others injured as firefighters continue to search for one person who remains trapped, according to officials. pic.twitter.com/EHttB0WeKL
Earlier video footage from Chopper 4 showed firefighters pulling another injured person from the rubble around 4:45 p.m.
Investigation Focuses on Previous Violations
The NYPD urged drivers to consider alternate routes while street closures remained active.
Department of Buildings records indicated that the neighboring construction project had previously received violations in May. Those included work performed while a stop-work order was active, inadequate overhead protection for neighboring properties, and work diverging from approved construction drawings.
Officials have not determined whether the prior construction issues or the ongoing excavation contributed to the collapse. An investigation into the incident is active. Phone and email messages requesting comment were placed with the architect, property owner, and general contractor listed in municipal records for the construction project.
“As emergency operations continue, please join me in holding our neighbours and the members of this community in our hearts,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani in a post on social media, adding that people should avoid the area to allow rescue crews to continue working.
“My heart breaks for the family who lost a loved one in today’s building collapse in Brooklyn. I’m keeping them in my thoughts and praying for everyone affected. My administration has reached out and offered its full support as authorities investigate what happened,” said Governor Kathy Hochul on social media.
First responders are on the scene of a building collapse on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, where they are working quickly to secure the location and assist New Yorkers. Flatbush Avenue is closed from Clarendon Road to Bedford Avenue – please avoid the area so rescue crews can…
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My heart breaks for the family who lost a loved one in today’s building collapse in Brooklyn. I’m keeping them in my thoughts and praying for everyone affected. My administration has reached out and offered its full support as authorities investigate what happened.
