New York

Brooklyn Building in Mid-Collapse Forces Families From Their Homes

The building has been inhabitable since April 2018, and was earmarked for destruction in December when inspectors noticed the house was starting to lean

What to Know

  • A Brooklyn house started collapsing Thursday, leaning dangerously to the right and near another building — forcing families from their homes
  • The building has been inhabitable since April 2018, and was earmarked for destruction in December
  • The more than 100-year-old building likely fell because of age and exposure to the elements, with no one looking after it for years

A Brooklyn house started collapsing Thursday afternoon, leaning dangerously to the right and near another building — forcing families from their homes.

The house on Logan Street in East New York began to fall Thursday afternoon, with firefighters going door to door evacuating neighbors. Those families, including more than 20 people, are being assisted by the Red Cross in finding a place to stay for the night.

The building has been inhabitable since April 2018, and was earmarked for destruction in December when inspectors noticed the house was starting to lean. The Department of Buildings was in the process of getting permits to demolish it, when it started to crumble on its own.

The more than 100-year-old building likely fell because of age and exposure to the elements, with no one looking after it for years, according to FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief Joseph Ferrante.

A DOB inspector is scheduled to inspect the building and the property Friday, when it is expected to be demolished.

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