Six Dead in Brooklyn Collapse

Six people died and at least 19 others were injured when a 96-year-old Brooklyn building collapsed Wednesday night.

The structure at 1321 Flatbush Ave. fell while demolition and construction work continued at the adjacent site on Bedford Avenue. City records indicate that activity had been ongoing for months prior to the incident.

Investigators are currently examining the debris to determine the specific cause of the failure. The collapse has left city leaders without immediate answers regarding the structural integrity of the historic building.

Glenn Corbett, a construction safety expert at John Jay College, noted that excavation near older structures often raises stability concerns. He stated, "When you go and dig next to these kind of buildings, there's always an issue of stability."

Corbett suggested that retaining walls or shores used to support construction pits could be a key area of focus. He questioned whether the wood panels or steel components were built to the required specifications, asking, "Was that not up to speed as far as what's required?"

Department of Buildings records show one summons was issued for the neighboring construction site in April. A stop-work order was violated at that location but was later resolved. Blueprints for the adjacent project outline a mixed-use building containing retail space, medical services, and residential apartments.

A sister station, WABC, found no building violations for the site of the collapsed structure. The contractor who received the April summons told WABC that his company completed the demolition work and left the job site by late April or early May. He stated he was not aware of any existing condition of the shores at the time of his departure.