1 Dead, 2 Hurt in Collapse at Brooklyn Construction Site

The site is at Frank Court and Seba Avenue in Gerritsen Beach

One worker was killed and two were hurt in a collapse at a construction site in Brooklyn Tuesday.

The collapse occurred at Frank Court and Seba Avenue in Gerritsen Beach, where a single-family home was under construction.

Fire officials say a 25-year-old worker was trapped after the collapse and was taken to a hospital, where he died. Two others suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

"There were five men working on the roofing project," said Department of Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri. "At this stage, we believe three of them were either carrying material or actually working on the roof at the time."

LiMandri said there was a permit for the work being done, but initial investigation indicates that the second-story addition being built onto the old bungalow was too big and was not properly anchored or supported.

Inspectors will check architectural renderings and engineers' reports to re-examine the design, which may have been flawed, said LiMandri.

The building next door was evacuated as a precaution.

Neighbors said the house has had its problems. Melissa Impellizeri said she had spoken to someone who knew the owner of the house.

"He just bought the house and it had violations on it from previous owners," she said. "And he said they had to take the top off and redo it because they weren't in code."

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