At least two people died and more than a dozen others were injured when a three-story building collapsed in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood on Wednesday, November 11, officials said. Seven children were among the injured. Emergency crews continued searching the wreckage as authorities worked to determine whether anyone remained trapped and what caused the collapse.
FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore reported 19 patients, including two people who died, four in critical condition and 12 in stable condition. A firefighter sustained minor injuries during the response. Officials did not disclose the children's ages or say whether either of those killed was a minor.
Mayor Mamdani said the FDNY received a 911 report about the collapse at 1321 Flatbush Avenue at 4:01 p.m. Firefighters reached the address within a minute and began searching for victims. Speaking at an evening news conference, the mayor expressed sorrow over the deaths as emergency operations continued.
More than 250 fire and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene. Firefighters and police used K-9 units to help search the rubble, and officials said crews could remain there for several days. The number of people who might still be inside the wreckage was unknown.
The unstable structures presented an ongoing threat to rescuers. FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito described the response as an "extremely dangerous operation for all of our people." He said an adjoining building that remained partly intact posed a risk, with another collapse the main concern. Bonsignore said rescuers had to carefully coordinate their movements to protect both patients and emergency personnel.
Officials said the building fell into a neighboring property where construction was underway. Department of Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said workers were carrying out excavation work there when the collapse happened. The site had approval for a three-story building, while a proposal for a nine-story building was awaiting approval. Authorities had not established the cause of the collapse.
Department of Buildings inspectors assisted recovery efforts and checked the structural stability of surrounding buildings. Police warned of road closures and traffic delays. Mamdani urged residents to stay away so crews could work, saying Flatbush Avenue was closed between Clarendon Road and Bedford Avenue.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said her office had contacted authorities and offered support for the investigation. Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams also expressed concern for anyone trapped, responding crews and affected families. The city's Emergency Management office opened a nearby reception center with the Red Cross for residents affected by the collapse.
