Roof connecting six storefronts comes crashing down in Brooklyn

The trend of collapses continued across New York City on Sunday evening, May 7, when the parapet of six Brooklyn storefronts came tumbling down.

Nearly a dozen people were standing in line for Dolly’s Ices, near the corner of East 58th Street and Avenue T, at around 5:15 p.m. when worker John Furman says he heard the business’ roof begin to buckle and crack.

“It was like a bomb went off,” he told amNewYork Metro. “I am a little shaken up at this point.”

A worker cleans up debris after a parapet wall collaspe left six buildings damaged at East 57th Street and Avenue T.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

Firefighters investigate the collapse.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

The roof’s extension — connecting a string of Avenue T businesses in Old Mill Basin — quickly came down. While a few bystanders were evaluated by paramedics on the scene, no official injuries were recorded, according to Fire Department sources.

FDNY and the city’s Department of Buildings were quick to respond to the collapse, checking the buildings’ structural stability. Firefighters also worked to remove the free-standing debris and bricks.

Almost the entire block was cordoned off following the collapse.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

According to DOB, the collapse was called in for 5815 Ave. T, a print shop called Palette BK, and impacted businesses spanned the addresses 5801-5815. Upon arrival, inspectors observed that an approximately 75-foot brick parapet wall, directly above the six stores, had collapsed and fallen onto the sidewalk.

First responders also worked to remove additional sections of the unstable parapet wall that had not yet collapsed, said DOB spokesperson Andrew Rudansky, adding that, as a result of the agency’s inspection, a Full Vacate Order was issued for the entire building.

Furthermore, Rudansky said, the owner — who has been issued a violation for failure to maintain the building — has been ordered to install a construction fence around the front and side of the building, and to contract a professional engineer to obtain a full report for the building.

Update (May 8, 10:25 a.m.): This story has been updated to include additional information from the city’s Department of Buildings.

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