One person has died and 10 others were injured, four critically, after a three-story building collapsed in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters were called to the scene at 2625 Bedford Avenue around 4 p.m. local time, according to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).
Emergency personnel were dispatched after reports of people trapped inside the structure. Rescue operations are continuing, with dozens of firefighters, dogs, and flashlights being used to search the debris for any remaining trapped individuals. One person is still believed to be trapped under the rubble.
The collapsed building, which housed a ground-floor shop and at least one apartment on upper floors, was situated next to a construction site where a one-story building had previously been demolished. Excavation work was underway at the site, and the collapsed building’s bricks and wood filled the construction pit. Another building sharing a wall with the collapsed structure remains standing, but its wall was shorn off, exposing its interior rooms.
The New York City Department of Buildings (NYC Department of Buildings) has sent inspectors to assess the structural damage and examine nearby buildings. Authorities have urged motorists to avoid the affected area due to emergency operations and road closures.
Background to the collapse
The NYC Department of Buildings issued permits for soil work and excavation support for a new development at 2625 Bedford Avenue on September 9, 2026. Townhouse Builders is listed as the contractor on both permits. The excavation support filing allowed for excavation up to 14 feet below ground level, and the department required special inspections of the excavation sheeting, shoring, and bracing.
According to NYC Department of Buildings records, there were plans to construct a nine-story, 71,388-square-foot mixed-use building with 64 residential units at the site. Earlier public records described a smaller three-story development on the property.
In May, the NYC Department of Buildings recorded several issues, including a lack of proper overhead protection for neighboring properties and work being done without adhering to approved diagrams. CBS reported that city records showed a demolition contractor had previously received a violation for continuing demolition work despite a stop-work order, though this violation was later listed as resolved.
New York State Representative Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn stated that the construction site was previously an adult daycare center and had been vacant. She noted that developers were awaiting permits for affordable housing and that while the cause of the collapse is unknown, the building may have been neglected. Glenn Corbett, a fire-safety expert at John Jay College, suggested that deep excavation next to an existing structure can destabilize its foundations if adequate precautions are not taken, though authorities have not established if this contributed to the collapse.
What happens next
Authorities have yet to announce a definitive cause for the collapse or a final casualty count. Firefighters will continue searching for people trapped in the rubble, and the NYC Department of Buildings will continue to assess structural damage and inspect nearby buildings. Investigators will examine the building’s structural integrity, construction and demolition records, excavation activities, and compliance with safety regulations.
The identity of the deceased person has not yet been released, and it remains unclear how many people were inside the building at the time of the collapse or how many are still trapped.
Background
- Townhouse Builders is listed as the contractor for the project, which planned a nine-story, 71,388-square-foot mixed-use building with 64 residential units.
Why it matters for Nepal
As of the 2020 census, 205,297 people of Nepali origin reside in the United States, with 23,077 in New York State in 2020. There is no information available regarding the involvement of any Nepali citizens in this incident or any official response from the Nepali government.
