The haunting image of a partially crumbled seven-story apartment building on Billingsley Terrace in Morris Heights, Bronx, unveiled a grim reality: a history marred by more than 100 building violations, as per city records.
Monday afternoon witnessed a terrifying scene as a section of the 96-year-old structure gave way, leaving a skeletal remainder but miraculously causing no severe injuries. However, the building had amassed a staggering number of complaints and violations, with over 25 grievances lodged just last month.
Residents had long voiced concerns about irregular odors, persistent elevator outages lasting days or weeks, and an overall apprehension about the building’s structural integrity. Reports dating back to 2015 and 2017 revealed alarming descriptions, citing the structure’s instability and audible signs of deterioration from within.
The Buildings Commissioner, James Oddo, asserted during a news conference on Monday that despite the numerous issues, there were no open structural violations. Only seven violations remained active.
Amid the wreckage, firefighters combed through a debris pile towering 12 feet high, fortunately finding no casualties but revealing the destruction of six apartments. Two individuals sustained minor injuries while evacuating the site.
Sadie Martinez, a resident, recounted the sudden collapse, expressing her initial belief that it might have been an earthquake or road repairs. Her swift reaction saved her family, including her 1-year-old baby, from the perilous situation.
Following the calamity, CBS New York’s Ali Bauman confronted the landlord, highlighting the building’s extensive violations and tenant complaints. Frustrated tenants gathered outside the wreckage, seeking answers from the landlord. However, the responses offered were vague and did little to address the gravity of the situation.
Residents like Martinez and her children faced displacement, awaiting rehousing assistance from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, following their stay at a Red Cross shelter.
The impending partial demolition of the collapsed corner, scheduled to commence Thursday morning, marks the first step toward potential recovery, while investigations continue into the root cause of the catastrophic collapse.
