Brooklyn Building Collapse: Four-Story Structure Topples Over, Sending Three To The Hospital

A Brooklyn building collapsed on Tuesday, injuring three people as the top three floors crashed down inside the abandoned structure and spewed debris onto the street.

The building, located in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, came down at close to 2:30 p.m. The cause of the collapse has not yet been announced, but the Department of Buildings said there were no code violations, the Wall Street Journal noted. The building had been scheduled for demolition back in December, and there is no word as to why that was not carried out.

The Brooklyn building collapse injured a cyclist who happened to be riding by at the time. Two other people in an adjacent building were also hurt, but officials said none of the injuries were serious. The victims were taken to a local hospital, where officials said the injuries were non-life-threatening.

Many nearby people posted pictures of the building collapse, including a video that shows a small crowd gathering near the building while sirens could be heard in the background.

https://instagram.com/p/5IHk21R8GG/

Witnesses said they heard a loud noise and came out to find that the building spilled out across the sidewalk, with many people taking pictures and videos.

“Moments later the whole wall started coming down. Those who were filming started running,” said Joseph Cooper, who was nearby when the building came down. “Then the whole building came down.”

Others who live and work near the collapsed building said they had no idea anything was wrong with the structure.

“We came out, there was a whole bunch of smoke coming down the block, there was people running down the block,” said Rahem Floyd in an interview with NBC. “I don’t even know how it’s fallen. I see thing building every day, nothing happens, nothing’s wrong with it until today.”

The Brooklyn building collapse did have an impact on afternoon commuters, causing the A and C trains to suspend service around the street where it took place.

Avoid Fulton and Tompkins due to building collapse 1426 Fulton Street @CamBautista pic.twitter.com/4BXHC71ixK

— Bed Stuy (@bedstuygateway) July 14, 2015

Officials said it is too dangerous to search the building, noting that it will now be demolished. The building next to the collapse is also being evaluated for damage, Deputy Chief Wayne Cartwright told the Wall Street Journal.

Police added that they do not believe the Brooklyn building collapse was caused by a gas explosion, despite the loud boom heard by some witnesses.

[Image via Instagram]