7-Story Building Partially Collapses In NYC

NEW YORK CITY — A seven-story building partially collapsed in The Bronx, leaving behind a pile of rubble but, miraculously, no one seriously injured, officials said.

The corner of 1915 Billingsley Terrace in Morris Heights collapsed Monday about 3:30 p.m., said Zach Iscol, the city's emergency management commissioner.

Firefighters arrived within two minutes and immediately began a search for anyone stuck under rubble that spilled onto the corner of West Burnside Avenue, said FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh.

"Miraculously, no one was severely injured at the partial building collapse at 1915 Billingsley Terrace," Kavanagh tweeted after the hour-long search. "From looking at the scene and surveillance footage, it could have been so much worse."

Miraculously, no one was severely injured at the partial building collapse at 1915 Billingsley Terrace. From looking at the scene and surveillance footage, it could have been so much worse. We waited anxiously as @FDNY members methodically went through the debris pile. pic.twitter.com/M9kZ2LyNAo
— Commissioner Laura Kavanagh (@FDNYFC) December 12, 2023

For hours, FDNY members searched for potential victims of the partial building collapse at 1915 Billingsley Terrace. They have gone through a large pile of debris, 12 feet high in spots, and found no victims.

Two civilians sustained minor injuries during the evacuation. pic.twitter.com/hMo8tkyLG2
— FDNY (@FDNY) December 12, 2023

Two people suffered minor injuries during an evacuation from the building, fire officials said. Firefighters combed through a pile of debris that stood 12 feet high in spots, officials said.

The building had seven Department of Buildings violations, but they were not structural, officials said.

The most recent Department of Buildings report, dated March 2021, noted seven unsafe facade conditions, officials said. The building's owners had an active permit for facade work, for which crews were toiling as recently as a few days ago, officials said.

Unsafe facade conditions, however, are different than structural ones that would lead to a partial collapse, officials noted. An investigation is ongoing.