Authorities have evacuated a neighboring building out of concern that more bricks could fall from the wall after a portion of a facade on an Upper East Side high-rise building collapsed earlier this week.
A 16-unit building at 346 East 63rd St. was evacuated Thursday evening, and the Red Cross was there to assist any displaced residents.
The building is across the street from 340 E. 64th St., where a construction accident Monday night sent a hail of bricks and concrete plummeting 35 stories.
The superintendent at 346 East 63rd St,, Geno Fanuch, told NBC 4 that "it took a little haggling, but everyone is out and safe."
"We saw the windows being boarded up, and people packing up and leaving," said neighbor Nishant Kapur.
Residents were told by the buildings department that it could be three to four days before they're allowed to return, according to Fanuch.
Office of Emergency Management Deputy Commissioner Frank McCarton said the work is focused on the wall at 340 East 64th, where the facade collapsed Monday. There's a danger of further collapse there, and crews will have to stabilize and demolish that portion of the wall.
"They're going to mitigate the part that we think will have to collapse and they'll do a hand demolition of all those bricks," said McCarton. "So that's a very time-consuming, labor-intensive issue that we have to deal with."
In the meantime, streets remain closed on First Avenue from East 60th Street to East 64th Street, and East 63rd Street between Second Avenue and York Avenue.
McCarton acknowledged the closures were presenting a headache for drivers and residents but said, "We don't want to rush this process. We understand it's inconvenient for the community but at the same time we're trying to balance the safety of everybody."
He said the goal is to have everyone back home and streets reopened by Sunday night or Monday morning, but the timeline could be stretched further if any problems arise during the job as it requires great care and attention to detail.
The accident Monday appeared to be related to repointing, which involves renewing the external part of mortar joints in masonry construction.
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"All of a sudden it sounded like there was an incredible hailstorm," said witness Mark Kostabi. "I saw huge chunks of what I thought was hail, but then that didn't make sense. And huge noises."
Veronica Alcarese said, "The first brick hit the ground, all of a sudden there was some dust and smoke. It sounded like fireworks or gunshots, and the next thing I know, I saw four people running in all different directions."
Marilyn McClain, who was walking her dog when the bricks rained down, said she couldn't believe no one was killed.
"It was such a huge rumbling sound, and the dust filled everywhere. It was just smoke and mayhem, and I can't believe no one was killed," she said.
