On Wednesday afternoon, a three‑story structure on Flatbush Avenue near Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn collapsed, sending bricks, wood and debris into a nearby excavation pit. The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) received the emergency call within a minute and dispatched roughly 250 firefighters, EMS personnel, and K‑9 units from both the FDNY and NYPD.
Immediate response and rescue efforts
Firefighters quickly removed two victims from the rubble, while aerial footage showed crews combing the site well into the evening. As darkness fell, responders used flashlights and hand tools to clear debris, with a drone hovering overhead to guide the search. By 6:30 p.m., two additional injured persons were lifted onto stretchers and taken to hospitals.
Casualties and injuries
The FDNY later confirmed that two people died and at least 17 were injured, four of them in critical condition. Among the injured were seven children and a firefighter who sustained minor injuries. The department has not released the ages or identities of the deceased, and it is still unknown whether any children were among the fatalities.
Impact on families
One family shared a heartbreaking loss: a brother identified his sibling, 26‑year‑old Jose Luis Caguana, an Ecuadorian immigrant who had lived in the United States for about six years and worked in construction to support his family. Caguana’s wife, who is pregnant and due soon, was too distraught to speak on camera, and the couple also has another young child.
Mayor and state response
Brooklyn Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the scene as “incredibly challenging and fast‑moving,” noting the precarious wreckage and dangerous voids beneath the surface. New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her sympathy on social media, saying her administration has reached out to offer full support as authorities investigate the cause.
Building and site details
The collapsed building housed a ground‑floor business and multiple apartments above. It stood next to an excavation site where a one‑story structure had been demolished in 2025. At the time of the collapse, excavation work was underway under approved Department of Buildings (DOB) plans for a new three‑story building. Plans for a nine‑story tower have not yet been approved.
Ongoing investigation and safety measures
City officials have warned residents to avoid the area as Flatbush Avenue remains closed from Clarendon Road to Bedford Avenue. The Office of Emergency Management (NYCEM) anticipates traffic delays and road closures throughout the night. DOB inspectors are on‑site to assist with recovery and to conduct structural stability inspections of neighboring buildings.
Community assistance
The American Red Cross set up a reception center for displaced residents. By 10 p.m., the Red Cross had registered four households—eight adults and two children—for emergency assistance.
Next steps
FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore emphasized that the victim count could change “by the minute” as the operation, expected to last several days, continues. The department will keep the public updated as more information becomes available.
Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.
