Building collapses into construction pit in Flatbush, Brooklyn; 1 dead, at least 10 hurt

Latest (as of about 7:45 p.m. ET, Wednesday, November 11): 1 person has died and at least 10 are hurt, 4 of them critically, according to the FDNY, as reported by CBS New York. NBC News and ABC News, citing WABC, report 12 injured, 6 critically. Rescue work was still going on after dark. We'll update this story as officials release new numbers.

A three-story building collapsed in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn late Wednesday afternoon, November 11. It fell into a deep construction pit next door, where an old building had been torn down to make way for a new one. At least one person was killed.

Our thoughts are with the family of the person who died, with everyone hurt, and with the neighbors who lost their homes tonight.

What happened

The FDNY got the first 911 call at 4:01 p.m., according to ABC News and ENR, and sent a major technical rescue team. The building came down into an open excavation site where construction workers were on the job. The FDNY described it as a "full collapse." The wall of the building next door was torn off, leaving apartments open to the street, according to ABC News and CBS New York.

Hundreds of first responders worked the scene. Firefighters dug through brick, wood and concrete by hand and used search dogs and a drone, according to NBC News. At least two people were pulled out soon after the collapse. Another survivor was rescued around 6:15 p.m. A man at the scene said she was his pregnant wife, according to CBS New York. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said a toddler was among those rescued, according to FOX 5 New York. Several of the injured were construction workers, and firefighters were still working to account for everyone who had been on the site.

Where

The building stood at the corner of Flatbush and Bedford avenues. The city's Department of Buildings records identify the collapsed building as 1321 Flatbush Avenue, a three-story mixed-use building with a business on the ground floor and homes above, according to NY1 and CBS New York. Police said the side of the building next door, 1323 Flatbush Avenue, was torn off. The FDNY's response was sent to 2625 Bedford Avenue, at the same corner, which is why some reports use that address.

The construction site next door

Next door, a one-story building was demolished earlier this year to make way for a new nine-story building with 64 apartments, according to city permit filings reported by ENR. The Department of Buildings issued permits for earthwork and support-of-excavation work on September 9. The filing allows digging down to 14 feet below street level and requires special inspections of the shoring and bracing that hold up the sides of the pit, according to ENR.

The site has a record with the city:

• In April, the Department of Buildings issued a violation to a demolition contractor, saying an entire building on the site was demolished despite a city order to stop all demolition work, according to CBS New York. That violation is now listed as resolved.
• In May, the department recorded more violations at the project, including working during a stop-work order, not having proper overhead protection for neighboring properties, and not following approved construction drawings, according to NY1.

These records show past problems at the site. They don't tell us what caused Wednesday's collapse.

What the city says about the cause

Officials haven't said what caused it. The Department of Buildings sent its commissioner and inspectors to help with the recovery and to check whether nearby buildings are safe. City officials had not said whether the excavation work played any role, according to ENR. Investigations like this usually take time, and we won't guess ahead of the people doing the work.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani asked New Yorkers to join him in "holding our neighbors and the members of this community in our hearts." Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state had "reached out and offered its full support." Council Member Farah Louis said: "We are devastated to learn that at least one life has been lost."

Road closures and help for residents

• Flatbush Avenue is closed from Clarendon Road to Bedford Avenue, the mayor said. NYC Emergency Management told people to avoid the area and expect delays.
• A reception center for affected residents is open at the Flatbush Y, 1401 Flatbush Avenue, according to NYC Emergency Management as reported by FOX 5 New York.

What it means for you

If you live next to a construction site, it's worth knowing that you can look up the permits, complaints and violations for any New York City address on the Department of Buildings' website, or report a concern by calling 311. If you notice new cracks, doors that suddenly stick, or falling debris, report it right away. It's a small thing, and it could matter.