Top view of the collapsed building.
Firefighters gathering at the scene.
Scores of firemen from numerous companies responded to the collapse of a roof on Jamiaca Avenue in Woodhaven on Friday evening around 6:30 PM. Emergency service workers and personnel form the Office of Emergency Management were also at the scene.
The roof of the abandonded two-story building collapsed on itself, fortunately without injuring anyone in the process.
According to the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) there was an already established vacate order for the building.
As reported in the Daily News, other tenants on the Avenue said the building has been unoccupied for roughly three years.
Buildings department officials arrived on the scene to check on the safety and secutrity of adjacent structures, one of which is the Woodhaven Volunteer FIre and Ambulance Corps.
The only casualties as a result of the collapse were several vehicles parked along the side street below the collapsed facade.
Firefighters searching through the rubble.
On Chrysler Town and Country Mini Van was virtually flattened by the hail of bricks, stone and concrete that came down in a roar.
Thomas Jeffers was walking across the street as it happened. “I just heard like a rumble of sorts,” said Jeffers on his way to get a gallon of milk for his baby. Less than two minutes before he had been walking along the street next to the crushed Town and Country. “They say timing is everything in life,” smiled Jeffers, “I guess they are right.”
A car parked on the street, completely demolished by the fallen bricks.
According to records from the Environmental Control Board the property has 11 registered violations, according to a spokesperson from the DOB. Of the 11 violations, nie remain open and a total of more than $18,000 in fines has built up. A variety of citations had been issued at the property including those for illeagl plumbing, work without a permit, failure to maintain and multiple structural stability infractions. Questionable construction methds were cited in 2012 when te DOB issued a partial vacate order.
After the collapse an additional vacate order was put into place
Because of stability issues and safety, the MTA was forced to suspend service on the J train which runs along the elevated tracks in fromt of where the builing stood on Jamaica Avenue.
After the service was resumed, the trains were ordered to operate at a slow spped so that vibrations from the tracks would not cause any further movement in the building.
Before it was abandoned the building housed the Galaxy Furniture store.
