The corner of a Bronx apartment building collapsed and exposed multiple units, but claimed no lives and did not cause serious injuries.
The FDNY is responding to a partial building collapse of a six-story apartment building at 1915 Billingsley Terrace in the Bronx. So far no injuries have been reported. pic.twitter.com/9FhCSOwbSW
— FDNY (@FDNY) December 11, 2023
According to the New York Post, the structural failure occurred Monday afternoon.
Fire Commissioner of New York Laura Kavanaugh posted to X, formerly Twitter, as firefighters and the K-9 team searched the rubble for anyone who might have been trapped.
In regards to the partial building collapse at 1915 Billingsley Terrace, the @FDNY is focused on life. We have no report of injuries at this time but our members, including our K-9 team, are looking for any people trapped. pic.twitter.com/USXndfRwlx
— Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker (@FDNYFC) December 11, 2023
After hours of searching, Kavanaugh confirmed there were no victims in the rubble. She also wrote, “I want to thank our incredible team of Firefighters, EMTs, Paramedics, Rescue Medics, our K-9 Unit, and Robotics Unit for all their effort.”
For hours, they searched for anyone who may have been trapped or injured. We have confirmed that no one was under that pile. I want to thank our incredible team of Firefighters, EMTs, Paramedics, Rescue Medics, our K-9 Unit, and Robotics Unit for all their effort. pic.twitter.com/xHKH5o1zct
— Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker (@FDNYFC) December 12, 2023
In her concluding post, she stated, “Miraculously, no one was severely injured at the partial building collapse at 1915 Billingsley Terrace.”
“From looking at the scene and surveillance footage, it could have been so much worse,” she went on.
“We waited anxiously as @FDNY members methodically went through the debris pile,” Kavanaugh added.
The New York Post reported the building, located at 1915 Billingsly Terrace, was built in 1927. It held 47 residential homes and six businesses.
Commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings Jimmy Oddo noted during a press conference, per the New York Post, the structure was up to code and properly maintained until the collapse.
A 2021 Building Commission report noted it displayed seven “unsafe facade conditions,” and Oddo said the building was having work done up until “a few days ago.”
He also stated, “Again we’re taking a look at the drawings that they submitted as part of the permit.”
“And I want to be clear, unsafe facade conditions is not the same as an unsafe building. But we are taking a good look at the paperwork, the drawings that they submitted, and we’ll have some answers,” he said.